The exchange program took place in Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg and The Netherlands and offered young history enthusiasts the opportunity to delve deep into the historical events that shaped our modern world, providing an immersive experience in regions and countries profoundly affected by the war. Participants engaged in a variety of creative projects, including video production, podcast creation, and historical storytelling, enabling them to explore and express the human stories behind the conflict.
As the exchange traversed the landscapes where pivotal battles were fought, participants gained invaluable insights into the war’s legacy. This program isn’t just about learning history; it’s about bringing it to life through modern media. Participants worked collaboratively with fellow participants, shared perspectives and improved skills in storytelling and digital media.
Participants contributed to preserving these vital memories for future generations.
The exchange program started at the city of Aachen, Germany. The guided tour provided insights in the history of the city and the battles that took place in 1944 in an around the city. In the afternoon the program moved to the Eiffel area in Germany, where the group spent the night at Vogelsang International Place.
The exchange program attended different educational programs and guided tours in order to gain and share knowledge.
The program attended exhibitions and cultural events, fostering reflection and gratitude, while strengthening the bonds of peace and remembrance across generations.
Overnight stay at Vogelsang International Place.
On day two, the program started with a guided tour over the terrain of Vogelsang International Place. There was time for content creation before we moved to Belgium in the afternoon.
During a guided tour there was more than enough room to ask questions and to interact with experts.
Overnight stay at Centre Cinqfontaines, place of remembrance and educational centre.
On day 3 there was a guided tour at Centre Cinqfontaines, where there was time for content creation and historical research. Afterwards, the group visited Schumanns Eck in Luxembourg.
With a unique innovative concept, the memorial trail ’Schumanns Eck 1944-1945’ near Wiltz leads thematically through the remains of the former strategic battlefield east of Bastogne using 220 authentic eyewitness accounts. We hiked on the Memory Trail and visited the Vector of Memory.
Overnight stay at Centre Cinqfontaines, place of remembrance and educational centre.
Day four brought the exchange to the famous city of Bastogne, in Belgium.
A few months after its liberation, Bastogne, a small town surrounded by the Ardennes Forest in southern Belgium, suffered a new attack from the German forces. Their goal was to capture Antwerp, but they failed to take Bastogne on their way, creating a ‘bulge’ by heading forward around the city. Bastogne was surrounded, and a fierce siege, under difficult circumstances, began.
We visited the Bastogne War Museum, the Mardasson Memorial and the foxholes in the surroundings of Bastogne.
During day 5 the participants visited the southern region of the Netherlands, called Limburg. They visited the provincial capital Maastricht. In the caves of Maastricht, the famous Rembrandt van Rijn painting ‘De Nachtwacht’, was hidden during the Second World War.
After the tour through Maastricht, participants were returned to the starting point of the exchange in Aachen where the program ended.
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