Viola Scalacci, Author at LRE Foundation

Press conferences take place across Europe to present Europe Remembers and the 80th anniversary of D-Day and Provance landings.

Posted on March 21, 2024March 21, 2024 by Viola Scalacci

Throughout February, March and April, the LRE Foundation has been participating in a series of press conferences organised collectively by partners Normandie Tourisme, Var Tourisme, and Atout France (France Tourism Development Agency). These events aim to highlight the upcoming 80th anniversary of the D-Day and Provance Landings while providing a platform to present our project, Europe Remembers.

The press conferences were held in significant locations: the first in London at the Imperial War Museum, the second in Amsterdam at the Verzetsmuseum Resistance Museum, and the third in Brussels at the Royal Military Museum. A fourth press conference will be organized on April 2 at the Musée de l’Armée in Paris.

During these gatherings, attendees had the opportunity to delve into the anniversary commemorations for the D-Day Landings and Operation Dragoon scheduled for this year, whilst gaining insights into the programmes’ details.

Another focal point discussed was the LRE Foundation’s initiative, Europe Remembers, an international awareness campaign and online platform to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II and draw attention to historical events and commemorations across Europe. The campaign is a collaborative project supported by many partners across Europe including Region Normandy and Normandy Tourism.

The four press conferences provided an excellent opportunity to present and promote the project in front of professional journalists, laying the groundwork for reaching an international and diverse audience.

LRE Conference 2024 – an interview with LREF Managing Director Rémi Praud

Posted on February 1, 2024February 1, 2024 by Viola Scalacci

This year’s LRE Conference – one of the key events of the LRE Forum 2024 – will be held in Aachen on February 27. This event aims to inform and inspire all the Foundation’s stakeholders and anyone interested in WWII history and will feature in-depth keynotes, panel discussions, and presentations by international speakers.

The LRE Conference 2024 will revolve around the topic of “The Complex Legacy of WWII Persecution: Reflections on Justice and Remembrance” and will be divided into several sessions, each addressing the topic from a different point of view.

The event will start with a keynote speech from Dietmar Nietan, Member of the German Parliament, titled: “From Persecution to Justice and Accountability,” which will discuss the challenges in achieving accountability and justice for the persecution and crimes committed during World War II. A panel discussion, moderated by British Historian and author Keith Lowe, titled “Making Amends and Ensuring Justice” will then look at the ways and issues connected to pursuing transitional justice, reparations, restitution, and memory laws in the aftermath of the war. The last session will feature an intimate conversation with Mala Tribich MBE, a Holocaust survivor, on the significance of memory preservation and transmission.

To take a glimpse into this year’s event, we interviewed Rémi Praud, LRE Foundation’s Managing Director, on what will await us at the LRE Conference 2024:

How did you come up with the topic for this year’s conference?

This year’s topic was chosen due first to its profound historical significance but also to its relevance in addressing contemporary global challenges. World War II persecution stands as an important chapter in history, leaving a mark on our world that continues to influence our societies in significant ways.

One of the primary reasons for selecting this topic is its multifaceted nature. It allows us to explore a range of themes, such as art restitution, memory laws, war crime trials, or compensation.

Delving into the complexities of art restitution, which is still an ongoing process, raises fundamental questions about historical justice, for instance.

War crime trials underscore, as well, this ongoing pursuit of justice for the victims of WWII persecution, but also connect with the present. The Nuremberg Trials did set a precedent for addressing mass atrocities through legal means. Today, as war crimes tribunals and international law continue to evolve, it is interesting to see how historical cases inform contemporary justice efforts. This allows us to critically assess the effectiveness of legal mechanisms and evaluate the significance of reparations.

Compensations address also this need for reparation and the responsibility of societies to redress historical wrongs, a moral imperative that emerged after the war.

Last but not least, the topic of memory laws acknowledges the critical role of collective remembrance in shaping societies. Such laws not only preserve the historical record but also serve as a foundation for building a just and inclusive future. All these topics share the same question of how societies deal with the darker chapters of their past.

What is the importance of discussing persecution with a special emphasis on law and justice?

This angle is very interesting because it connects with the present and helps us reflect on different topics. For example, it sheds light on legal accountability and how it is defined. The post-WWII processes have been instrumental in developing new legal concepts, which set a precedent for international justice.

Furthermore, it is crucial as it deals with the rights of victims and survivors, exploring how paths to justice and closure were offered, and what kind of healing process for survivors and their descendants we can envisage after such a traumatic event.

In addition, emphasizing law and justice is integral to fostering societal reconciliation, as it encourages open dialogue about historical injustices. It also plays a crucial role in preserving historical memory through legal proceedings like war crime trials. These trials provide an official record of past atrocities and ensure that the lessons learned from that period are not forgotten. These are just a few of the themes that will be addressed by our speakers.

This year’s conference has some interesting key speakers. How did you choose them and what can they bring to the discussion?

We have selected the speakers with a diversity of expertise, and backgrounds, coming from different countries, bringing complementary perspectives. We were, for example, particularly interested in the work of the EVZ Foundation, which is instrumental when it comes to the topic of compensation, but also in how to address Germany’s responsibility for the future. The presence of Dr Andrea Despot, its CEO, is a chance for the discussion. We were also very keen to invite speakers with very personal experiences related to the justice processes. For example, the historian Dr. Carlo Gentile has been testifying as an expert in various trials in Germany, Italy, and Canada. Anne Webber, Co-Chair of the Commission for Looted Art in Europe (CLAE), has a remarkable track record in advocating for restitution policies globally and achieving the return of over 3,500 cultural items. This is the type of diversity we always want to have in our conferences.

And last but not least, the presence of Mala Tribich, a Holocaust survivor of the Ravensbrück and Bergen-Belsen concentration camps, is an immense privilege. Hearing her story and reflections will be for sure an emotional and powerful conclusion for our conference.

What do you want the public to take home from the LRE Conference 2024?

Our idea with this theme is that our audience is confronted with different angles constituting the processes of justice and remembrance, and they can relate to what happened in their own country or own region. We hope that those perspectives and examples will be a reflection starting point, especially connecting with contemporary conflicts and a reason for discussions after the conference between participants. If our conference brings up such discussions, it means that we have succeeded.

The conference is open to everyone. Click here to register!

New Themed Route explores the 100th Bombardment Group, the ‘Masters of the Air’

Posted on January 26, 2024January 26, 2024 by Viola Scalacci

With the release of the new ‘Masters of the Air’ series on Apple TV, the Foundation, LRE UK and partners have created a new Liberation Route Europe themed walk in Norfolk, East Anglia. It will be of no surprise to those who have been eagerly awaiting the series, that this new 6km (4 miles) Themed Route focuses on Thorpe Abbots, or Station 139 as it was designated by the United States Army Air Force. The trail provides an opportunity to delve into the past and explore the remnants of a once-bustling airfield.

The 100th Bombardment Group, Station 139, Thorpe Abbots Themed Route encompasses concrete remnants, old roads, perimeter tracks, and a public highway, offering walkers a glimpse into the daily lives of air and ground crews during World War II. The route intersects the former runways, providing an immersive experience as hikers follow in the wheel tracks of the legendary B-17 Flying Fortresses aircraft.

With over 2,000 personnel stationed there, Station 139, Thorpe Abbots was not just a military base but a thriving community that played a pivotal role during the ‘Friendly Invasion’. The Themed Route unveils the scale of the site, showcasing the purpose of various facilities and infrastructure. From accommodations to dispersal pans and the former runway, visitors can learn the stories of those who served and local civilians who witnessed wartime activities.

The 100th Bombardment Group Memorial Museum is a recommended starting point for the themed walk. It houses an impressive collection of original artefacts and interpretation panels. The meticulously restored control tower, including the glass house on top, offers a panoramic view of the former airfield, providing context to the site’s historical significance during WWII.

“This Themed Route marks the beginning of LRE UK’s development into East Anglia,” says Ben Mayne, LRE UK Director “and what better occasion to launch the new walk than the release of the “Master of the Air” series? It offers a great opportunity for people to learn about the airfield and surrounding area, the crews that worked here and who flew from here (some never returning), and the civilian perspective of the Friendly Invasion. This is just one airfield from East Anglia’s WW2 history and heritage, and we want to help remember what happened.”

Exploring Pilsen’s rich history: three new Themed Routes unveiled

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

We are thrilled to announce that the LRE Foundation- in collaboration with the City of Pilsen – has created three new Liberation Route Europe themed routes through the Czech city steeped in World War II history. With a new network of hiking trails, anyone willing to discover the hidden gems of Pilsen gets the chance to experience the most significant sites, monuments and stories related to the city’s Occupation and Liberation.

“Most foreign visitors are aware that Pilsen was probably the very last big city in Europe liberated by the US Army,” says Jan Engler, City of Pilsen’s marketing manager. “Not many know its role in the resistance, involvement with the airdrops of the Czechoslovak paratroopers from the United Kingdom or the story of the 2 613 Jews deported to the concentration camps. Thanks to the great cooperation and support of the LRE Foundation, tourists may discover the three new themed routes just by clicking on the Liberation Route Europe webpage.”

Starting at the symbolic Peace Square (náměstí Míru), one of the city’s first memorials, the path along the history of the Pilsen’s Liberation in May 1945 leads past numerous relevant sites like the Pilsen brewery complex, Klatovska Street 19 or the Patton Memorial Museum, honouring American General Patton, an important figure in the city’s liberation process.

A second route takes you to the most interesting sites thematising the Pilsen Uprising against German occupiers on May 5, 1945. The trail showcases the triumphs and tribulations of Pilsen’s’ Resistance. Notable landmarks include memorials like the Jindřich Křečan commemoration plaque at the Roosevelt Bridge.

Allowing you to connect with the everyday lives and extraordinary stories of Pilsen’s inhabitants, a third themed route connects sites and monuments presenting the Civilian Experience in Pilsen. From the memorial plaque at Čechova Street to the Hotel Continental, the route encapsulates the stories of ordinary citizens, resistance fighters and the Jewish community during the Second World War.

“The new themed routes through Pilsen are opening the doors to a deeper understanding of the profound impact that World War II had on its streets and its people,” says Emerald Johnson, Project Officer at the LRE Foundation. “We are excited to share these new hiking trails, and we look forward to the meaningful experiences they will offer to all who embark on this historical journey with us.”

Register now for the LRE Forum 2024 in Aachen

Posted on November 23, 2023November 28, 2023 by Viola Scalacci

Registration for the LRE Forum 2024 is now open. Register now to attend the LRE Foundation’s annual event, which will be held from the 26th to the 29th of February in Aachen, the first German city liberated during WWII.

The four-day programme – organized by the LRE Foundation in cooperation with LRE Germany and LRE NRW – is designed to provide a varied range of activities for all attendees, including our members, partners, and tourism stakeholders. This includes dynamic panel discussions on contemporary subjects in WWII history and remembrance as well as various networking opportunities with organizations associated with WWII, historical tourism, cultural heritage, and international travel.

The LRE Member Seminar on February 27 provides an opportunity for members to gather, exchange best practices, and receive Foundation updates. Following that, the LRE Conference has a diverse lineup of speakers, keynotes, panel discussions, and interviews delving into different methods for dealing with the complex legacy of World War II persecution. In the evening, the LRE Gala dining event serves as a valuable networking opportunity for Foundation members, key partners, and sponsors.

February 28 will begin with the LREXPO, an annual exposition for remembering tourism that allows representatives from museums, memorial sites, cities, and regions to meet directly with travel industry stakeholders from Europe and North America. To complete the LRE Forum 2024, arranged site visits to some of the most notable historical locations in Aachen and its surroundings, including journeys to Vogelsang and the Hürtgen Forest, are offered.

Take part in the LRE Forum 2024, register now here.

Should you have any questions or doubts, don’t hesitate to reach out to event@liberationroute.com

The fourth and final Persecution Through Their Eyes Youth Event was held in Buchenwald

Posted on November 16, 2023November 22, 2023 by Viola Scalacci

The fourth and final Persecution Through Their Eyes youth event took place on November 7 at Buchenwald, marking a pivotal moment in the EU-funded initiative. This event, hosted at the Buchenwald Memori al, reflected the project’s main objective by encouraging young people to challenge historical misconceptions and contribute to the creation of a more empathetic and informed society.

The day kicked off with the official opening of the project exhibition by representatives from the Buchenwald Memorial and the LRE Foundation. German students were the first to explore the various personal stories related to persecution during WWII in the exhibition at the Buchenwald Memorial, collaboratively prepared by all four project institutions: “Grodzka Gate – NN Theatre” Centre in Lublin, Camp Vught National Memorial, Sant’Anna di Stazzema National Park of Peace and Buchenwald Memorial.

Educational sessions for students were centred around these stories, with a primary focus on fostering critical thinking and a deeper understanding of the complexities surrounding World War II events and their enduring impact. A meaningful highlight of the day was the engaging discussion among participants, delving into the causes and consequences of Nazi ideology. The debate provided a space for reflection, emphasizing the importance of remaining vigilant to radical ideas that might resurface in contemporary society.

The project exhibition, along with its associated educational activities, will remain accessible at the Buchenwald Memorial until the end of March 2024, with the goal of reaching the widest possible audience. The culmination of the Persecution Through Their Eyes project is set to take place during the Conference at the LRE Forum 2024, scheduled in Aachen, Germany from 26-29 February.

Joanna Roman, Project Manager at the LRE Foundation, said: ”It was a great privilege observing the growing engagement of students and their keen interest in discovering the stories featured in the project exhibition. Their feedback holds immense value for us – learning that they are enthusiastic about sharing these exhibition panels in their schools and realizing its potential proves our success in meeting the project’s goals to make WWII history accessible and relevant for young people.”

In October, the third Persecution Through Their Eyes Youth Event was held in Lublin

Posted on November 6, 2023November 22, 2023 by Viola Scalacci

The third youth event part of the EU-fundend “ Persecution Through Their Eyes” project was organised throught the month of October in Lublin by “Grodzka Gate – NN Theatre” Centre and integrated in a wider programme of activities designed to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of the devastating “Reinhardt” operation. This is the third youth event of the series, following the ones in Camp Vught National Memorial and Sant’Anna di Stazzema National Park of Peace.

Operation Reinhardt resulted in a mass murder of Jews, the liquidation of ghetto and the execution of 40,000 prisoners in the Majdanek camp and its branches. The 80th anniversary of its conclusion served as an occasion for reflection on the subject of persecution during World War II.

Over 100 students took part in educational activities that integrated the historical theme of WWII persecution with contemporary experiences of war, particularly in Ukraine. Several workshops were held that drew upon the biographies created for the “Persecution Through Their Eyes” project exhibition, which recounted a wide array of stories and experiences related to persecution during WWII concerning people from four different countries. Additionally, participants attended the theatrical performance “Borders of War”, which was created by young artists and told the stories of those experiencing war in Ukraine. 

The youth event concluded on October 30th at the Catholic University of Lublin. The halls of the university hosted students, teachers, representatives from the Lublin town, cultural institutions, and historians. The official launch of the exhibition was preceded by a panel discussion titled “The Experience of War,” organized in collaboration with the Department of History and Historiography of Central and Eastern Europe.

On this occasion, students were able to listen to a unique recording featuring Rose Lipszyc, one of the exhibition’s protagonists. At the age of 94, Ms. Lipszyc shared her own wartime experiences, emphasizing the enduring importance of freedom and democracy after years of suffering and conflict.

Overall, the youth event and educational activities provided an excellent opportunity to go further into a multi-perspective understanding of history and past and present conflicts.

Joanna Roman, Project Manager at the LRE Foundation, highlighted the significance of events like the one in Lublin. She said, “Events such as the one organised in Lublin allow us to see the particular need for similar educational activities, which meet with great commitment from young participants and help to see the individual stories and perspectives of directly suffered the atrocities of WWII”.

The “Persecution Through Their Eyes” project does not end here; another youth event is planned for November 7 at the Buchenwald Memorial in Germany.

A new LREF body is brought to life: The Member’s Council

Posted on October 30, 2023October 30, 2023 by Viola Scalacci

On Wednesday, 11 October 2023 a selected array of representatives of the LRE member organisations came together to hold the first Member’s Council Meeting. In total thirteen members joined online, representing organisations from eight countries.

The Member’s Council is an advisory body of the LRE Foundation recently established by the International Supervisory Board. It aims to give the Foundation’s members a representation in the organisation’s decision-making process. The Council enables the representatives to give feedback on current LREF programs, contribute to LREF strategies and conceptualize common projects. It is composed of at least one representative per country in which the LRE Foundation has one member organisation. If the country has more than one member organisation, at least two representatives will be welcomed.

In the meeting, all the present representatives were given the opportunity to introduce themselves and get to know each other. In several rounds of discussion, the members shared their opinions and ideas on the composition of the Council, the possibility of a rotation system of mandates as well as deciding on the format and structure of future meetings.

What became once again clear is that the experiences and perspectives of the represented organisations and countries on the Second World War and Liberation are very multifaceted, which should be reflected in the bodies functioning. To contribute to the diversity of the Council, the Members intend to form several Working Groups, organised based on their expertise, priorities, and current projects in such fields.

By common agreement, it was decided to hold the next Members Council meeting during the LRE Forum in Aachen from 26 to 29 February next year to discuss further steps.

“We are thrilled to finally kick off the Member’s Council.“, says Rémi Praud, Managing Director of the LRE Foundation. “This is a great opportunity for us to get a more in-depth collaboration with our member organisations and countries. We are looking forward to receiving some feedback on our recent programs and initiating some new joint projects. Furthermore, the regular meetings will also strengthen our network, as we will have the opportunity to see each other more often and exchange information.”

The second Persecution Through Their Eyes youth event took place in Sant’Anna di Stazzema

Posted on October 17, 2023November 22, 2023 by Viola Scalacci

The second Persecution Through Their Eyes youth event took place successfully on October 13 in Sant’Anna di Stazzema National Park of Peace. Following the triumph of the first event in Camp Vught, participants had the chance to visit the ‘Persecution Through Their Eyes exhibition, and the National Park memorial sites and watch animations created by students from the St. Joost School of Art & Design.

Persecution Through Their Eyes, a European Union-funded project, aims to offer a multi-perspective and transnational view of Nazi persecution, spotlighting the experiences of victims and perpetrators. Victims included Jews, Roma/Sinti, political prisoners, homosexuals, prisoners of war, civilians, and resistance fighters among others.

The project is organised by the LRE Foundation in partnership with organizations such as Camp Vught National Memorial (Netherlands), Buchenwald and Mittelbau-Dora Memorials Foundation (Germany), the National Peace Park of Sant’Anna di Stazzema (Italy), LRE Italy, and Grodzka Gate – NN Theatre Centre in Lublin (Poland).

Over 100 students explored Sant’Anna di Stazzema’s square, church, Historical Museum of the Resistance, and other remembrance sites connected to the massacre, which happened on August 12, 1944, in the small town. The event’s key moments included the unveiling of the Persecution Through Their Eyes exhibition and the screening of short films created by the students of the St. Joost School of Art & Design.

The exhibition, located at the Factory of Rights in the Sant’Anna National Park of Peace, will be open to the public until the end of December 2023 and can be visited by appointment only.

“Persecution Through Their Eyes is the third in a successful series of European Union-funded projects targeted at improving young people’s awareness of World War II.”, noted Joanna Roman, Project Manager at the LRE Foundation. “This youth event was fascinating in a variety of ways. We had the opportunity to share previously unknown personal stories with the students and to visit places of memory that must be protected and fostered.”

Persecution Through Their Eyes will continue to inspire young people with upcoming events organized by project partners. The next youth event is scheduled for October 30 at the Catholic University of Lublin in Poland, and the last one will be held on November 7 at the Buchenwald Memorial in Germany.