CRI听力:World War I Exhibition Opens in Berlin

Almost 100 years ago, millions of lives were lost as nations from around the world fought in the fields of Europe during World War I.

The new exhibition at the German Historical Museum details the events leading up to the war, the war itself and the aftermath.

Around 500 objects are on display, including paintings of soldiers, Europe's royalty at the time and anti-war demonstrations.

Weapons and historical documents are available for viewing.

Alexander Koch heads the museum.

"We want to show people how this war changed the world and how the effects of the war can still be felt today. This war has something to tell every one of us and that is why it is so important to put it in relation to what we have here and today."

Koch warns that while the museum is meant to explain history, its visitors will be exposed to images of unimaginable suffering.

"In the centre of this exhibition is the tremendous violence that made this war the original catastrophe of the 20th century. And we can feel the effects still today."

The exhibition will include a number of speakers, debates and discussions, where the issue of responsibility for the war will be fully explored.

The First World War is still a sensitive subject in Germany.

Koch says the war is still a major part of the collective German consciousness, something that has shaped the German society of today.

"Many families have their own stories about the war from a family member or from a friend, stories about different fronts or about what the war was like from the homefront. So this war has still today the unmovable place in the collective mind. And that is what we have to show here with this exhibition. "

World War I began on June 28th, 1914 following the assassination of Arch Duke Franz Ferdinand of Austro-Hungary.

The "Great War," as it was known at the time, left 9-million dead.

It also created the impetus for Germany to re-arm after the conflict, leading to World War II.

For CRI, This is Xie Zhao.