February 2025 – LRE Foundation

LRE Foundation Joins EuroClio’s Critical History Tours Project

Posted on February 24, 2025 by Viola Scalacci

This week the LRE Foundation joined the initial in-person meeting for the Critical History Tours project kick-off in The Hague. This EU-funded initiative focuses on designing and promoting successful critical history walking tours across Europe. It aims to challenge the way historical debates manifest in public spaces, enriching the way history is taught, shared, and understood across Europe.

The innovative Critical History Tours (CHT) project engages with tension tied to historical debates in modern societies, focusing on how these debates manifest in public spaces, particularly in contested urban areas. By utilising the medium of walking tours as an intervention located at the intersection of public history, heritage, and tourism, the project aims to address these tensions constructively.

The project’s leading partner EuroClio, the European Association of History Educators, invited the Critical History Tours partner organisations to the kick-off meeting in The Hague from 16 to 18 February 2025. Joining the LRE Foundation as fellow partner organisations in the project are Uncomfortable Oxford, Atrium (Architecture of Totalitarian Regimes of the XXth Century in Europe’s Urban Memory), the Balkan Museum Network and the International Students of History Association (ISHA).

The Critical History Tours project aims to map existing critical historical guided tours in European cities, create new adult education opportunities by providing high quality lectures, workshops and courses for historical tour guides with an officially recognized certification. Furthermore, the project intends to strengthen cross-sectoral and transnational cooperation between providers of critical history tours, give the local population the opportunity to participate in guided tours, engage in conversations about local and global contested histories and improve public awareness and critical understanding of Europe’s historical heritage.

LRE Foundation project assistant Lisa Schweiger is excited about working on the project in the future: “I am looking forward to challenging existing historical narratives by developing new guided tours involving contested sites. There is a high demand for looking at our history from a different perspective and leaving the beaten tracks. Our partner organisations all have great expertise in their field of work, which will enable us to successfully carry out this ambitious project.”

Critical History Tours aims to leave a lasting impact on local tourism by combining a critical approach to contested history, public engagement, and the education of tour guides. It aims to engage in conversations about local and global contested histories and represent typically neglected social groups by bringing them to the center of the public education sphere.

The three-day meeting in The Hague marked the project’s official start, bringing together all partner organisations to align on objectives and establish a collaborative framework. Participants explored the project’s aims and objectives, discussed timelines and partner roles, and shared ideas on how to conceptualize lectures, workshops and trainings for future critical history tour guides.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.

LRE Conference 2025 – Resistance to Oblivion

Posted on February 21, 2025February 21, 2025 by Viola Scalacci

The LRE Conference 2025, titled Resistance to Oblivion – Preserving WWII Memories and Lessons for Future Generations, will take place on 11 March in Kraków, Poland. The event will bring together historians, museum professionals, memory activists and other exceptional speakers to explore how to keep the memory of World War II alive and relevant in today’s world. The conference is part of the Resistance Through Their Eyes project and is funded by the European Commission.

As we move further away from the events of World War II, the urgency to preserve its memories and lessons grows ever more critical. The passage of time naturally leads to the fading of personal recollections, and with each passing year, the number of survivors, eyewitnesses, and veterans who can share their firsthand experiences decreases. The LRE Conference 2025 seeks to confront this challenge head-on, investigating and proposing measures to ensure that these memories are not only preserved but actively integrated into our cultural and educational systems. Resistance to Oblivion is more than just a title, it’s a call to action. It invites all participants to engage deeply with the past, to understand its significance, and to work collectively towards ensuring that the lessons of WWII remain vivid and instructive for future generations.

The LRE Conference 2025 Programme:

The conference will open with remarks from Rémi Praud, Managing Director of the LRE Foundation, who will moderate the event, alongside Dr. Paweł Sękowski from the Jagiellonian University’s Institute of History. Together, they will introduce the key themes of the day: the preservation of WWII memory, the evolving role of historical narratives, and the impact of contemporary conflicts on our understanding of the past.

The keynote speech, Layers of Memory—World War II and Contemporary Conflicts, will be delivered by Yuriy Savchuk, Director of the National Museum of the History of Ukraine in the Second World War. His address will examine the ways in which WWII memory interacts with current conflicts, particularly in Ukraine, and how war documentation shapes historical narratives for future generations.

A central part of the conference will be the panel discussion Memory in a Challenged World—Preservation, Exploration, and Responsibility. Experts including Adelina Hetnar, Head of the Educational Projects Department of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and State Museum, and Victor-Jan Vos, Director Collections and Services, Institute for War, Holocaust- and Genocide studies will delve into the complexities of maintaining historical accuracy while adapting to modern educational needs. The discussion will address pressing issues such as the resurgence of antisemitism, the impact of intolerance on historical memory, and the responsibility of institutions to engage with new audiences. The session will be moderated by Oriol López-Badell, coordinator of the European Observatory on Memories (EUROM).

The final session of the day, Generations in Dialogue—The Legacy of WWII Memory, will offer a personal perspective on how war memory is inherited and reinterpreted over time. Tania Szabo, daughter of SOE agent Violette Szabo, Karolina Maczek, granddaughter of General Maczek, and Noemie Lopian, daughter of Holocaust survivors Dr Ernst Israel Bornstein and Renee Bornstein will reflect on their families’ legacies and discuss how younger generations engage with these historical narratives.

The LRE Conference 2025 is open to all. Register now to be part of this key conversation on preserving WWII memory for future generations.

Workshop ‘Introduction to AI and WWII Heritage’ at the LRE Forum 2025

Posted on February 11, 2025 by Viola Scalacci

As artificial intelligence continues to transform numerous fields, its application to cultural heritage is gaining increasing attention. The upcoming workshop “Introduction to AI and WWII Heritage”, held during the LRE Forum 2025, will explore the opportunities and challenges of integrating AI into WWII memory transmission.

This session will introduce participants to the evolving role of AI in the field of heritage and history, with a focus on case studies, ethical considerations, and emerging methodologies. It will also serve as a platform to present “AI Remembers”, a new EU-funded initiative dedicated to exploring AI applications in WWII heritage and inviting stakeholders to contribute to its development.

The use of AI in historical research and heritage management is still in its early stages, but it is already showing significant potential. AI technologies are being developed to assist in areas such as archival digitization, historical content generation, automated translations, and interactive museum experiences. These advancements could help institutions preserve, analyze, and interpret WWII history in ways that were not possible before.

However, with these opportunities come challenges. The use of AI in history raises important questions about accuracy, ethics, and trustworthiness. How can AI-generated content maintain historical integrity? What risks are involved in relying on AI for research, storytelling, or digital exhibitions? These issues will be addressed in depth during the workshop, ensuring a balanced discussion between technological innovation and historical responsibility. The workshop will provide an introduction to AI’s role in WWII heritage, followed by case studies and practical examples. Participants will learn about existing AI applications in historical research, museums, and archives, while also engaging in discussions on the ethical frameworks necessary for responsible AI integration.

One of the primary objectives is to foster collaboration between heritage professionals, historians, and AI specialists. The workshop will also be an opportunity to invite stakeholders to contribute to the development of AI Remembers, whether through participation in research, case studies, or policy discussions on AI ethics and historical accuracy. This workshop is designed for professionals in the WWII heritage sector, including historians, museum curators, archivists, and educators, as well as digital heritage experts. Policymakers concerned with trustworthy AI and digital transformation in the cultural sector will also find the discussions particularly relevant.

The “Introduction to AI and WWII Heritage” workshop will take place as part of the LRE Forum 2025, on 11 March, in Krakow, Poland. If you are an LRE Foundation Member or Partner interested in joining it, register for the LRE Forum 2025 🔗here and then select your workshop 🔗here.

For more information about the LRE Forum programme and general registration, visit the LRE Forum Webpage (the Workshop is organized under the Member Seminar event).

Join the Workshop: ‘Advancing Sustainability in WWII Heritage Tourism’

Posted on February 11, 2025February 12, 2025 by Viola Scalacci

How can we ensure that World War II heritage remains meaningful and accessible for future generations while embracing sustainable practices? This is the question at the heart of Preserving the Past, Securing the Future, a new project dedicated to integrating sustainability into the WWII remembrance sector.

As part of the LRE Forum and Member Seminar 2025, we are launching a dedicated workshop to introduce the project to the sector’s stakeholders, share key insights on sustainable heritage tourism, and highlight opportunities for engagement.

What to Expect?

This interactive session will explore the intersection of WWII heritage and sustainability, offering expert perspectives and practical examples from the field. Our sustainable tourism specialists will present key concepts, good practices, and insights gained so far. The workshop will also feature a real-world case study from the Juno Beach Centre, showcasing how sustainable policies can be successfully implemented in WWII museums and remembrance sites.

Why Attend?

Gain insights into sustainability challenges and opportunities in WWII heritage tourism.
Learn from experts about best practices and innovative approaches.
Discover training and capacity-building opportunities designed for professionals in the sector.
Engage in discussions on how sustainability can be integrated into heritage management.
Find out how to get involved in the project and contribute to shaping a more responsible future for WWII remembrance.

This workshop is an opportunity to connect with peers, exchange knowledge, and take the first steps toward implementing sustainability strategies in your organization.

Don’t miss this chance to be part of the conversation. Join us and help drive positive change in the WWII heritage sector! Register for the LRE Forum 2025 🔗 here and select your workshop 🔗 here.

For more details, visit:
🔗 LRE Forum
🔗 LRE Member Seminar