April 2024 – LRE Foundation

The LRE Active Remembrance Youth Programme kick-off seminar in Brussels

Posted on April 24, 2024May 10, 2024 by Viola Scalacci

The Liberation Route Europe Active Remembrance Youth Programme (ARYP) kicked off last week at the House of European History in Brussels. Professionals from the history, remembrance, audiovisual, and podcast production fields gathered alongside the LRE Foundation Team for a two-day kick-off event filled with presentations, workshops, and knowledge-sharing.

The Active Remembrance Youth Programme is an EU-funded project that aims to actively involve and inspire young Europeans from diverse backgrounds to explore and commemorate World War II from multiple perspectives. Through a series of youth exchanges, participants will visit significant WWII sites across Europe, engaging with history firsthand. This immersive experience encourages active learning, including conducting interviews, curating historical content, and creating podcasts and videos, all contributing to an online exhibition.

The kick-off meeting’s first day featured insightful discussions with professionals like Annelies van Rijen from the House of European History Museum, Paula O’Donohoe from Euroclio, Jordi Guixé and Oriol Lopez Badell from EUROM, Anne-Catherine Michel from the Bastogne War Museum, and Roel Timperman from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. They shared valuable best practices on engaging young adults in remembrance projects. Highlight presentations by Prof. Dr. Joanna Wojdon and Prof. Dr. Katja Makhotina underscored the importance of embracing multiple perspectives in historical narratives.

The second day of the kick-off seminar delved into practical training sessions on podcast creation and guiding young individuals in video editing. Supported by Natif and MediaRaven, participants gained valuable skills essential for executing the project’s objectives.

The two-day seminar marked an auspicious beginning for the Active Youth Remembrance Programme, setting the stage for a collaborative and impactful journey ahead.

“Being able to learn from experienced organisations and sharing best practices, provided us with the perfect opportunity to prepare ourselves in the best way possible.” said Wout van Aalst, Project Officer at the LRE Foundation.

Stay tuned for more updates!

The second Resistance Through Their Eyes youth event took place at Casa della Memoria in Milan

Posted on April 15, 2024June 13, 2024 by Viola Scalacci

 The city of Milan and the Ferruccio Parri National Institute co-organized the second Resistance Through Their Eyes youth event on April 9-10, 2024, at Casa della Memoria in Milan. Aimed at educating and engaging young people about the history of resistance during World War II, the event offered a unique blend of educational activities and interactive experiences.

The highlight of the event was the urban game titled “The Secret Rebels of Milan”, based on the stories included in the project exhibition. Over 100 young participants, divided into teams, embarked on an exciting journey through the Library of Trees park, where they encountered ten stages, each representing a significant location linked to Milan’s resistance history. Equipped with smartphones or tablets, teams solved puzzles at each stage, earning clues that would ultimately lead them to uncover the final answer.

The game also emphasized teamwork, strategy, and quick thinking. As teams raced against the clock, they could track their progress on a leaderboard, comparing their points with those of other teams. Additionally, teams could access help and hints whenever they faced challenges, ensuring that everyone had a fair chance to succeed.

Beyond the urban game, the event offered participants the opportunity to explore the most important places of remembrance dedicated to World War II. Project partners gained firsthand insights into the stories of those who resisted Nazi-fascist oppression.

“Visitors were able to immerse themselves in the history of the Resistance, learn about the various viewpoints of its characters, and participate in special activities thanks to the collaboration with the Enigmap association.”, says a Milan Municipality representative. “Furthermore, secondary schools were invited to participate in an interactive treasure hunt at the BAM Tree Library park, which was organized by the Enigmap association. A one-of-a-kind opportunity for kids and boys to learn about the Milanese Resistance firsthand by solving puzzles and logic games based on Italian partisan biographies.“

The event served as a reminder of the importance of commemorating and learning from the past, especially in today’s world. By engaging young people in meaningful ways, the Resistance Through Their Eyes project aims to ensure that the legacy of resistance lives on, inspiring future generations to stand up against injustice and oppression.

Liberation Route Europe’s 10th Anniversary Celebration: Save the Date!

Posted on April 9, 2024April 10, 2024 by Cecilia Badano

We are excited to share the programme of the Liberation Route Europe 10- Anniversary celebratory event! On June 7, we will gather in Arromanches-les-Bains, the same place where 10 years ago the Liberation Route Europe project was officially launched.

This milestone event promises to be a day of reflection, remembrance, and celebration, set against the backdrop of one of Europe’s most historically significant locations. The day will kick off with a Liberation Walk, beginning at 9:30 am from the Esplanade in front of the D-Day Museum in Arromanches. Led by experienced guides, participants will embark on a 3km journey through the historical city of Arromanches offering a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the Normandy’s history.

Following the walk, the ’10 Years of Liberation Route Europe’ Ceremony will take place from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm. The program will feature speeches by representatives from Liberation Route Europe, project partners and local officials, highlighting the project’s achievements over the past decade. The event will move on with the presentation of the new Liberation Route Europe and the Arromanches themed route and Vector of Memory and a special tribute to veterans.

The celebration will end with a convivial Refreshment Gathering and Guided Tour of the museum (upon registration) from 12:00 to 13:00. Here, guests will have the chance to mingle, share stories, and reflect on the occasion’s significance in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.

“As we mark the tenth anniversary of the international launch of the Liberation Route Europe, I stand immensely proud of the extraordinary journey we have embarked upon together. The Liberation Route Europe has grown into a vast network of remembrance and reflection, connecting people and places with the profound stories of liberation that shaped our world. Along this journey, we have achieved remarkable milestones, none more emblematic than the Vectors of Memory, conceptualized by the architect Daniel Libeskind. As we look back on a decade of achievements, our hearts are filled with gratitude for the countless individuals and organizations that have joined us on this path of remembrance and education. The Liberation Route Europe is more than a route through geography—it is a journey through time, memory, and the very soul of our shared identity”, said Rémi Praud, LRE Foundation Managing Director.

“As we celebrate this milestone, we renew our commitment to preserving the legacy of those who fought against the Nazi regime, ensuring their stories and sacrifices continue to inspire a future grounded in peace”, he added.

The LRE Foundation would like to express its gratitude to the Normandy Region and Tourism Board, the City of Arromanches, and the D-Day Museum in Arromanches for their support in organizing this event. We also want to thank the Vfonds, Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe, and the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in The Hague for their valuable support of the Liberation Route throughout the years.

The full programme of the event has been shared with our network of members and partners, whose attendance would mark a significant milestone for us, given their crucial contribution to the project’s development. For questions and further information about the event and to receive the complete schedule, please contact us at event@liberationroute.com