Cecilia Badano – LRE Foundation

Europe Remembers continues: From the Battle of the Scheldt to the Battle of the Bulge and beyond

Posted on January 21, 2025 by Cecilia Badano

In 2024, the LRE Foundation’s collaborative campaign Europe Remembers continued its mission to highlight key moments of World War II history by participating in commemorative events across Europe. The last months of 2024 focused on two critical campaigns: the Battle of the Scheldt and the Battle of the Bulge.

Commemorating the Battle of the Scheldt in Zeeland

In October, Europe Remembers, in collaboration with ‘Zeeland Herinnert’, visited Zeeland to attend ceremonies honoring the lesser-known Battle of the Scheldt, an important operation that secured Allied access to the port of Antwerp. Events in Westkapelle and Vlissingen remembered this campaign, which played an important role in liberating the Netherlands. Several other events were organised by the region to mark this anniversary including a ceremony and the Mallard March in Sloedam. Through these ceremonies, attendees reflected on the challenges and loss of those who fought in this intense battle and those civilians that went through hardship during that time.

Marking the 80th Anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge

In December, the Europe Remembers team traveled to the Ardennes to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge, one of the largest and most significant battles on the Western Front. Organized in collaboration with the Bastogne Memorial WWII Reference Center and the ‘Maison du Tourisme Cœur de l’Ardenne’, the visit included stops at key historical sites such as the Manhay History 44 Museum, Jack’s Wood, Peace Woods, the Bastogne War Musuem and the German War Cemetery in Recogne. As part of the program, the team conducted interviews with Matthieu Billa, Director of the Bastogne War Museum; Bob Konings, an experienced local tour guide; and Clayton Christensen, a U.S. veteran who shared firsthand accounts of the battle. These conversations provided invaluable personal perspectives, enriching the understanding of the region’s history. Additional interviews are planned and will be released to ensure the stories of the Battle of the Bulge are preserved for future generations. The trip also featured visits to the Bastogne Barracks and participation in the Nuts Weekend, a series of commemorative events including conferences, ceremonies, live music, and opportunities to engage with veterans.

Through these commemorations, Europe Remembers continues to honor the people and events that shaped the course of history, fostering connections between the past and the present for future generations. The month of January will be dedicated to the International Holocaust Remembrance Day and to honoring the memory and stories of the many millions of people persecuted by the Nazi regime.

If you would like to learn more about the campaign visit the website and follow us on Instagram and Facebook!

The LRE Foundation is proud to announce three new EU-Funded Projects

Posted on October 28, 2024November 27, 2024 by Cecilia Badano

We are thrilled to announce the launch of three new projects funded by the European Union, which will start later this autumn. The projects, developed jointly with several partners throughout Europe, will explore Second World War remembrance in the contexts of sustainable travel, art, and technology. All of them are funded by the European Commission’s Creative Europe programme, which strengthens the EU’s cultural sector every year by supporting diverse initiatives.

While the projects will come to life in the following months, here is an overview of their mission and composition.

Preserving the Past, Securing the Future: A Sustainable Approach to Cultural and Remembrance Heritage
This project aims to provide Second World War remembrance professionals with the tools and knowledge needed to adopt sustainable practices. As part of this initiative, we will organise capacity-building workshops to explore topics such as responsible tourism, sustainable development goals, and sustainable policies, practices and marketing strategies. Together with our project partners, we will also coordinate study visits, networking events and e-learning opportunities to encourage knowledge sharing and skills development. Key partners for this project include Mascontour (Germany), Campus Foundation (Italy), and the Juno Beach Centre (France).

Art of Remembrance
This project, developed in collaboration with Tempora (Belgium), the City of Bastogne (Belgium), La Coupole Museum (France), the Nuto Revelli Foundation (Italy), and the Sybir Memorial Museum (Poland), aims to bridge the gap between history and contemporary art. The initiative seeks to establish artist residencies at Second World War remembrance sites across Europe, offering a unique space for artists to engage with history through their creative process. Alongside the residencies, workshops and seminars will be organised, actively involving local communities in the artistic journey, aiming to bridge the gap between history and contemporary art. The resulting artwork will be showcased in travelling exhibitions, ensuring that the project’s outcomes reach a wide audience. These efforts will be further supported by an ambitious communication strategy, including publications and online platforms designed to make this work accessible.

AI Remembers
Through this project and together with project partners KERN IT (Belgium) and the University of Caen Normandy (France), we will aim to integrate artificial intelligence into the preservation and interpretation of Second World War heritage, exploring how modern tools and technologies can enhance the presentation of historical content. We will use the Liberation Route Europe (LRE), a Cultural Route certified by the Council of Europe, as a test case to implement and evaluate these technologies.

A central focus of the initiative is developing an ethical framework for the responsible use of AI in cultural heritage, ensuring that these innovations are applied with care and integrity. The project’s findings will be shared through workshops and collaborative events, fostering dialogue and knowledge exchange. Additionally, a comprehensive communication strategy will be implemented to ensure the results are widely disseminated to partners and the broader public.

The LRE Foundation is proud to collaborate with many esteemed institutions across Europe to bring history to life in ways that engage and resonate with modern audiences. We are equally honoured by the trust and support of the European Commission, which recognizes the value and importance of these projects for European WWII remembrance. A unique aspect of these initiatives is the opportunity they offer the entire LREF network: through a series of events and workshops, we will share insights and resources with other institutions across Europe.

The Active Remembrance Youth Programme takes off with a first exchange trip to the Netherlands and Belgium!

Posted on October 3, 2024 by Cecilia Badano

In July we were delighted to announce the launch of our Active Remembrance Youth Programme (ARYP), an EU-funded initiative to inspire young Europeans from diverse backgrounds to explore and commemorate World War II along the Liberation Route Europe. At the end of October, ARYP will officially launch with the first exchange trip in the Netherlands and Belgium, focusing on the history of the “Battle of the Scheldt”.

The trip will take place over 4 days, from 28 to 31 October, and will allow young participants to learn about the history of the area in an interactive way, visit some of the many LRE network sites along the way, and exchange perspectives with young people from different European countries. The programme provides an interactive experience that goes beyond traditional classroom learning, actively involving participants in history through workshops, writing interviews, researching historical content and creating podcasts and videos. At the end of each trip, the content will contribute to an online exhibition, showcasing their work and presenting it to a wider audience.

The first trip will start in Breda with a guided visit to the Maczek Memorial, where participants will learn about Poland’s role in the Second World War. From here, the trip will continue to the Lommel War Cemetery in Belgium, where the next day will be spent learning about the soldiers buried there and continuing with interactive learning and content creation.

On the third day, the group will travel to the city of Antwerp for a visit to the MAS museum and a guided tour of the centre, which will highlight the city’s experience during the Second World War. On the last day, the group will travel to Mechelen, where the Kazerne Dossin, a former transit camp for Jewish and Romani people, is located and where the group will have time to explore the city.

Participants can find more information and register at the following link, and detailed eligibility criteria can be reviewed here. The majority of participation costs are generously covered with the European Union funding.

Plans for a new LRE Hiking Trail in Italy connect Sant’Anna di Stazzema and Monte Sole

Posted on October 1, 2024October 1, 2024 by Cecilia Badano

A new Liberation Route Europe 180-kilometer hiking trail, the Cammino Sant’Anna di Stazzema – Monte Sole, aims to connect two of Italy’s most significant World War II memorial sites: Sant’Anna di Stazzema and Monte Sole. A feasibility study, initiated by LRE Italy and funded by Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna, was recently completed.

The project was unveiled last week in Florence by Tuscany’s Regional Councillor Alessandra Nardini and Emilia-Romagna’s Regional Councillor Mauro Felicori, alongside LRE Italy President Raffaella Marianiand Director Carlo Puddu. This initiative is an important step towards combining history, nature, and slow tourism, offering an immersive experience in both remembrance and outdoor exploration.

The trail is set to be launched in 2025, commemorating the 80th anniversary of Italy’s Liberation and the conclusion of World War II. This ambitious project brings together various LRE Italy members, including the ‘Parco della Pace di Sant’Anna di Stazzema’ (Peace Park of Sant’Anna di Stazzema) and the ‘Comitato per le Onoranze ai Caduti di Marzabotto’ (Committee for the Honoring of the Fallen of Marzabotto).

Both Sant’Anna di Stazzema and Monte Sole were sites of devastating massacres during WWII. In 1944, over 1100 civilians were executed by the same German SS unit, the 16th SS Division, with the support of fascist groups. Along the route, hikers will also pass through other locations that suffered similar wartime atrocities, including Bagni di Lucca, Piteglio, Grizzana, and Savignano, all of which witnessed horrific events during the summer of 1944. These areas, positioned along the historic Gothic Line, were sites of partisan activity, Nazi reprisals, Allied bombings, and multinational military presence.

The proposed route includes 11 stages, beginning in Pietrasanta and passing through several significant towns: Sant’Anna di Stazzema, Camaiore, Fiano, Borgo a Mozzano, Bagni di Lucca, and Vico Pancellorum. It then traverses the Pistoia Apennines, covering areas such as San Marcello Pistoiese-Piteglio, Sambuca Pistoiese, and Pracchia, before entering the Emilia-Romagna region via Porretta Terme. The final stages take visitors through Riola, Grizzana Morandi, Monte Sole, Marzabotto, and Monzuno.

Designed to be accessible for most hikers, the trail will feature accommodations and services at each stage, enhancing the journey with comfort while preserving the solemnity of these historical locations. Ultimately, this trail stands as a powerful reminder of the past while promoting sustainable tourism and a deeper connection to Italy’s rich heritage.

LRE Foundation’s branch in the UK welcomes two new partners in East Anglia

Posted on May 28, 2024May 28, 2024 by Cecilia Badano

As the LRE UK branch continues to grow, we are pleased to announce two new partners, Parham Airfield and Bawdsey Radar Trust, located in East Anglia, one of the focus areas of LRE UK. Building on the Masters of the Air inspired Themed Route launched in January, work continues to bring this beautiful, historically significant area into the LRE network.

Parham Airfield Museum opened in 1981 as a memorial to the 743 young airmen, mainly of the 390th Bomb Group (Heavy) United States Army Air Force (USAAF), who were based at Station 153 Framlingham between 1943 and 1945. The centre also houses the Museum of the British Resistance Organisation, dedicated to the men and women of the Auxiliary Units who were trained in underground resistance in case of invasion and occupation. The museum houses extensive collections of artefacts, archives and memorabilia relating mainly to the air war over Europe and the Resistance Organisation.

The museum will soon commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day, in which the 390th Bomb Group took part, flying three missions on 6 June. Additionally, several thousand auxiliaries joined the Special Air Service, with many sent to France for sabotage operations behind German lines. The museum maintains strong links with the families of US veterans and members of the secret resistance forces.

“We are proud to become part of LRE, which matches our mission to show visitors how an earlier generation were prepared to give their all to defend freedom. All is quiet on the old airfield now and dozens of B17s no longer lift off the runways, but we will not forget... [LRE] is great to become part of a movement that seeks to encourage visits to our site in a sustainable way.” – Peter Senior, Chair of Trustees at Parham Airfield Museum.

The Bawdsey Radar Trust focuses on preserving the history of radar technology and was founded in 2003 as the Bawdsey Radar Group, following a high turnout of 950 visitors to the newly opened transmitter block in July 2003. The museum stands on the site of the world’s first fully operational radar station. This station marked the beginning of the construction of a chain of radar stations all along the coast, designed as an early warning system to protect Britain during World War Two. The Bawdsey Radar Museum tells the story of radar from its beginnings to modern times and is situated adjacent to the Suffolk Coast Path. This sixty-mile trail from historic Landguard Point in Felixstowe to Lowestoft is a path which passes along the length of Suffolk’s beautiful Heritage Coast”

“The Bawdsey Radar Trust is delighted to commence its cooperation with the LRE Foundation in extending its memorial trail connecting WWII remembrance sites and stories across Europe.” – Peter Wain, Bawdsey Radar Trust Trustee.

SAVE THE DATE | The LRE Forum 2025 will take place in Krakow, Poland, from 10-13 March

Posted on May 9, 2024May 9, 2024 by Cecilia Badano

After the successful LRE Forum 2024 in Aachen, Germany, we are thrilled to announce the upcoming LRE Forum 2025, jointly organised by the LRE Foundation and LRE Poland, to be held in Krakow, Poland, from 10 to 13 March. The city’s historical significance, particularly during the Second World War, makes it an especially interesting location for the annual gathering of the LRE Foundation.

Each year, the LRE Forum serves as a platform for the Foundation’s members and partners, as well as tourism stakeholders from across the globe, to engage in various activities aimed at sharing innovative ideas and best practices. It provides a unique opportunity for participants to learn, network, and foster new collaborations. This year marks the 9th edition of the LRE Forum, initiated in Brussels back in 2017. Since then, it has grown in terms of participation and is increasingly becoming a central networking event within the World War II heritage sector.

Starting on Monday, 10 March, the LRE Forum 2025 promises a diverse agenda of lectures, panel discussions, and interactive sessions, providing attendees with insights into the best practices and opportunities within the remembrance sector. As with previous editions, the participants will have many opportunities to connect with fellow LRE Foundation members. However, networking and idea exchange will take on an even more important role this time, with multiple networking sessions planned to encourage connections and collaboration across the network.

In addition, the LRE Forum will facilitate networking with travel industry stakeholders during the annual LREXPO (12 March) and offer site visits to significant local museums, and memorials. To further enrich the experience of our participants during their time in Poland we are also organising a guided tour of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum.

Save the date for the LRE Forum 2025 in Krakow, Poland, and get ready to exchange innovative ideas and best practices with the network! Stay tuned to our website and social media accounts (LinkedIn and X) for further details and updates.

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

Reflections on the LRE Forum 2024: A Recap from Aachen

Posted on March 18, 2024March 18, 2024 by Cecilia Badano

At the end of February the LRE Foundation, together with LRE Germany and LRE NRW got to organise the LRE Forum 2024 in the beautiful city of Aachen. Three rich days of activities, discussions and meetings about the heritage of WWII brought together international members and partners of the LRE Foundation, as well as tourism stakeholders from all over the world.

Welcome Reception

On February 26, the LRE Members and Partners were welcomed to the event centre Forum M for the start of the LRE Forum 2024. The veue, located in the very centre of the Aachener Old Town, set the scene for the official opening of the 4-days programme. The guests were greeted with speeches from Rémi Praud, LRE Foundation Managing Director, Gotthard Kirch, Director of LRE NRW and Heinrich Brötz, Deputy for the Education, Youth and Culture Department for the City of Aachen.

LRE Member Seminar

On February 27th, the Foundation hosted its annual Member Seminar as the first event of the day. The event took place in the beautiful setting of the Aachen Altes Kurhaus ballroom, where members of the LRE Foundation gathered. The Foundation team began by providing an overview of the past year’s projects and developments, as well as outlining the plans for the upcoming year. Following that, five members of the Foundation were given the opportunity to present their own projects to the network, sharing their ideas and best practices for making WW2 history more accessible and relevant.

The event concluded with a lively discussion moderated by Rémi Praud, Managing Director of the LRE Foundation. With guest speakers from the WW2 heritage sector, the session explored the topic “The 80th Anniversary of the end of the Second World War. A Remembrance and Commemorative Crossroad”.

LRE Conference

On the afternoon of February 27th, the LRE Conference welcomed around 160 participants to discuss the ways societies and individuals have tried to address the harms caused during World War II, specifically in attempts to make amends for persecution.

The Conference opened with a keynote speech by Dietmer Nietan, Member of the German Bundestag and Coordinator for the German-Polish cooperation about the shift from persectution to justice and accountability.

Led by British author and historian Keith Lowe, the following panel discussion included speakers from important international institutions active in the field. They deliberated on how their organizations and governments across Europe address the consequences of the persecution of the Second World War.
A crucial point of discussion was the extent to which the laws passed after the war laid a foundation for reparations for persecution and to what extent these laws reached their limits, especially in their implementation.

To conclude the Conference, we were deeply honoured to have welcomed Mala Tribich, a holocaust survivor, to the stage, who let us into her incredible life story. In conversation with Sharon Buenos, global director of the Zikaron BaSalon, Mala Tribich shared her personal experience with persecution, deportation, and the loss of dear family members, making us recall once again, why memory preservation and transmission, are such significant pillars in our society.

“We have to be vigilant and we must not be bystanders. If we see harm being done to people […] We should always stand up to it. We should always respond to it and not let people get away with it.” – Mala Tribich MBE

LRE Gala

The annual Gala Dinner was held in the magnificent Coronation Room of the Aachen City Hall, where a select group of guests gathered for an intimate get-together. Against the stunning backdrop of the medieval arches of the hall, a delectable dinner was served, followed by the official welcome ceremony for new members of the network, bringing the day to a joyful close. The evening was graced with speeches from the Mayor of Aachen, Sybille Keupen, Ed Kronenburg, Chairman of the LRE Foundation, and Martin Schultz, Chairman of the Frierich-Ebert-Stiftung and Patron of the LRE Foundation, all of which accompanied and delighted the guests.

LREXPO

As part of our annual thematic trade show on 28 February, Foundation members had the opportunity to network and connect with tour operators and other trade stakeholders from around Europe and North America. During this event, participants were able to exchange contacts and showcase their destinations to one another. During the event, participants exchanged contacts and showcased their destinations, while also learning from each other, sharing best practices, and proposing ideas for future collaboration. With over 100 attendees, the annual LREXPO is becoming a crucial appointment for those working in cultural heritage, remembrance tourism, and historical education.

Site Visits

After the Expo, on the afternoon of 28 February, members got the chance to visit some of the historical and remembrance sites in and around Aachen. As a first stop, the former military training area of Vogelsang, a camp used by the National Socialists to train future officers, gave an insight into the oppressive machinery of the NS Regime. Afterwards, the participants were taken to the Hürtgen Forest, the place that witnessed the longest Battle on German soil in the winter of 1944.

To conclude the eventful four-day Forum, a guided tour on the morning of 29 February introduced visitors to the important history of Aachen over the last centuries and during WW2. Aachen was the first German city to be liberated by the Allied soldiers.

FAM Trips

In addition to the site visits organised for the LREF members in the German Eifel Region, international tour operators took part in a Familiarization Trip in Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands. The Belgian part of the trip, which mainly took place in the Ardennes region, included visits to the Bastogne War Museum, the 101 Airbourne Museum and Malmedy.

After spending two full days in the “Battle of the Bulge” area, the FAM Trip proceeded to the Limburg region in the Netherlands. The tour included visits to significant sites such as the Maastricht underground, the German War Cemetery in Ysselsteyn, and the War Museum Overloon.

As the final stop on this year’s FAM trip, the Airbourne Region in the Netherlands welcomed tour operators to explore their region’s crucial WW2 history. The visits included museums, sites, and memorials in Nijmegen, Arnhem, Hartenstein, and Ede, where the famous Operation Market Garden parachute landings took place.

The first Resistance Through Their Eyes youth event took place at the Resistance Museum Amsterdam on February 12-13 

Posted on February 16, 2024February 22, 2024 by Cecilia Badano

The first event of the Resistance Through Their Eyes project kicked off with success at the Resistance Museum of Amsterdam in the Netherlands on February 13-14. This event marks the beginning of a series of four youth gatherings that will be hosted by each project partner.

Coordinated by the LRE Foundation and funded by the European Union, Resistance Through Their Eyes  is a collaborative project that aims to broaden a multi-perspective, transnational understanding of the theme of resistance during the Second World War. Alongside the LRE Foundation, key partners including the Milan Municipality (Italy), the Institute Ferruccio Parri (Italy), the Resistance Museum Amsterdam (The Netherlands), The White Rose Foundation (Germany) and the Home Army Museum Krakow (Poland), have come together to bring this initiative to life.

The first youth event provided over 120 Dutch students with the opportunity to immerse themselves in the permanent exhibition at the Resistance Museum of Amsterdam. They also explored significant historical sites associated with resistance during WWII in the neighbourhood. A highlight of the event was the “Resistance Through Their Eyes” exhibition, with personal stories of people who experienced and participated in the resistance in different countries and ways. The exhibition is on display at the Resistance Museum Amsterdam and is accessible online for wider reach.

To explore the exhibition, the youth event featured interactive workshops designed to engage students actively. Eyewitness testimonies and personal stories further enriched the educational experience by providing insight into the human dimension of resistance during wartime.

Looking ahead, the Resistance Through Their Eyes project will continue to empower and inspire young people with upcoming youth events organised by the other project partners in Italy, Germany and Poland.