July 2023 – LRE Foundation

Two new French members joined the LRE Foundation network

Posted on July 27, 2023July 27, 2023 by Viola Scalacci

Our network is expanding once more with the addition of Caen la Mer and the Communauté de Communes Interrégionale Aumale-Blangy sur Bresle, joining the LRE Foundation and our French national Branch, LRE France.

Caen la Mer

Situated in the heart of Normandy, Caen la Mer was deeply marked by the Second World War. The Battle of Caen in June 1944 played a crucial role for the Allies in advancing towards the Seine and Paris. The aerial bombardments carried out in the aftermath of the D-Day landings had a long-term impact on the town, destroying more than 30% of it.

Today, Caen la Mer stands as a testament to WWII history, with a number of sites, museums, and memorials dedicated to that period. Among these are the Caen Memorial, which provides a comprehensive account of the D-Day landings and the Battle of Normandy, as well as military cemeteries honouring the soldiers who gave their lives to liberate Caen.

“Because of the history that has played out on its territory, it makes sense for the urban community of Caen la Mer to join the LRE foundation network.”, says Romain Bail, mayor of Ouistreham and vice-president in charge of tourism in Caen la Mer. “We were delighted and honoured to host the LRE forum in Caen in 2022.”

Communauté de Communes Interrégionale Aumale-Blangy sur Bresle

The Communauté de Communes Interrégionale Aumale-Blangy sur Bresle is an assembly of communes situated in the Normandy and Hauts-de-France regions, spanning the Seine-Maritime and Somme departments. On June 13, 1944, a tragic event occurred in this area: a twin detonation from the V1, a new German weapon aimed at changing the course of the war. As a result, the Allies launched a rapid reprisal, resulting in thousands of bombs destroying the region, compounding the already substantial damage caused by the dropping V1s.

Today, the region is home to nineteen V1 flying bomb launch sites, including those at Guerville-Poteau de Montauban and Campneuseville-Beaulieu, and offers insight into the lesser-known V1 offensive of 1943-1944, a poignant chapter of the Second World War that had a profound impact on civilian populations.

“It is with great pleasure and pride that the Communauté de Communes Interrégionale Aumale-Blangy sur Bresle joins the LRE Foundation and thus contributes further to the duty of remembrance“, states Christian Roussel, President of the Communauté de Communes.

“We are delighted to welcome Caen la Mer and Communauté de Communes Interrégionale Aumale – Blangy-sur-Bresle as new members of the LRE France and LRE Foundation networks.“, says Isabelle Lebreton, Director of LRE France. “The effects of the Second World War are still clearly visible in both of those territories, and we will continue to spread awareness of it and its history together. We are looking forward to developing Liberation Route Europe trails there.”

Europe Remembers in Sicily for the 80th Anniversary of the Allied Landings

Posted on July 20, 2023July 20, 2023 by Viola Scalacci

July 9 marked the significant milestone of 80 years since the Allied troops launched the landings in Sicily, signalling the start of the Italian campaign and the liberation of Europe from Nazi and Fascist control. On the occasion of this historic event, the LRE Foundation was in Sicily, presenting the new Europe Remembers campaign in Licata and attending numerous commemorative events.

Building on the success of the previous edition, which honoured the 75th anniversary of the end of the war, Europe Remembers is back with new communication and activation campaigns. These initiatives aim to promote and raise awareness about the rich history and heritage of WWII alongside the upcoming commemorative events and exhibitions spanning across Europe.  

To lay the groundwork for the new campaign, the LRE Foundation was in Sicily the second week of July, actively participating in a variety of events and commemorative ceremonies centred on the Allied Landings. Moreover, the LREF team visited museums and historical locations that are inextricably related to the end of WWII with the aim of shooting videos and creating content for the Europe Remembers online campaign. Among these important sites are the Catania Landing Museum, the German War Cemetery Motta St. Anastasia, and the Catania and Syracuse Commonwealth War Cemeteries, which tell the story of the landings in Sicily and the sacrifices made by many to regain the lost freedom.

The Europe Remembers campaign was presented in Licata on July 10 during a special event organized by the municipality of Licata, the association Memento, and the Archaeological and Landscape Park of the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento.  

Watch the new video about the Allied landings in Sicily on Europe Remember’s social media and follow the campaign on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter to stay up to date!

The Market Garden Cycling Route is the first cycling trail of Liberation Route Europe

Posted on July 17, 2023July 17, 2023 by Viola Scalacci

Following the success of the Market Garden hiking trails, the LRE Foundation, in collaboration with Bart Verhulst, the creator of www.marketgarden.cc, developed the Market Garden cycling route, the first Liberation Route cycling route.

Stretching from Leopoldsburg in Belgium to the renowned “Bridge Too Far” in Arnhem, the Netherlands, the Market Garden route is littered with sites telling the stories of one of the largest Allied operations of the Second World War. Along the way, cyclists will encounter monuments, cemeteries, landmarks, audio stories, and remembrance sites. The new cycling route provides a unique opportunity to commemorate and pay tribute to those who lost their lives, as well as reflect on the liberation of Europe.

The total length of the route is 240 kilometres, which can be cycled in multiple stages. Beginning at the Liberation Garden Museum, the route follows the cycling knots system, enabling easy offline navigation while ensuring cyclists pass through picturesque landscapes and traverse peaceful roads. For a deeper immersion into the local history, cyclists can make use of the Liberation Route app, which highlights all the points of interest and their accompanying stories.

“It’s incredibly satisfying to see Liberation Route Europe evolve, now including not only hiking trails but also cycling routes.”, says Rémi Praud, LRE Foundation Managing Director. “The Operation Market Garden Cycling Route is a big step forward for our project, allowing a wider audience to engage with World War II history in a sustainable, green, and healthful manner. And this is just the beginning; new cycling routes will be developed across Europe in the coming months.”

Andrew Goodchild, a former British Army Aviator and avid cyclist, embarked on this historical journey alongside Bart Verhulst and Wout van Aalst, the LRE Foundation’s Project Officer. Together, they cycled the route to immerse themselves in the rich history of Market Garden. Videos documenting this adventure can be found on Andrew’s Youtube channel, Divum.

LRE Foundation welcomes Muisti Centre of War and Peace as its first Finnish member

Posted on July 3, 2023July 3, 2023 by Viola Scalacci

We are pleased to announce our newest member, the Muisti Centre of War and Peace in Mikkeli, marking a significant milestone for the LRE Foundation as it expands its presence into Finland. This partnership sets the stage for cooperation on exciting projects and fruitful collaborations in a country that holds a profound historical memory of the Second World War.

The Muisti Centre of War and Peace is a modern museum that delves into the impact of war through the lens of human experience. Housed in a historic building that once served as the military headquarters during the Second World War, the museum has been transformed into a sprawling 1000m² exhibition space.

The museum’s commitment to sharing war experiences to promote peace is perfectly aligned with the LRE Foundation’s mission. Together, the two organisations will collaborate on a range of projects, including Liberation Route Europe, the LRE Youth Programmes, and Europe Remembers, among others.

“We’re thrilled to welcome the Muisti Centre of War and Peace, our first Finnish member, into the LRE Foundation. This significant step strengthens our presence in Finland, a nation with a rich World War II history.” Says Rémi Praud, Managing Director of LRE Foundation, “We look forward to collaborating on meaningful projects that deepen our historical understanding and memory transmission”

“We are delighted to have been accepted as a member of the LRE Foundation. The Second World War is still the most important series of events that influenced European identities. Every nation has its experiences, but human experiences are common. By joining the network, we want to offer our partners a northern perspective on the war experience.” says CEO Olli-Pekka Leskinen, Muisti Centre of War and Peace.