Application deadline — September 13th
Program languages: Russian and English
Project Overview
"MemoActs: Practices of Solidarity and Cultures of Remembrance", organized by CISR-Berlin with the support of the Federal Foreign Office of Germany and Fundacja WOT, and implemented within the framework of the Erasmus+ program, aimed to foster intercultural dialogue, promote active citizenship, and strengthen international cooperation in the field of memorial culture. Targeting young people aged 18-30 from Germany, Poland, and Russia, the project brings together participants with a demonstrated interest in or active involvement in the preservation of collective memory, public history, and related fields such as museum and archival work, cultural journalism, independent historical research, and tour guiding.
Oleg Lutohin
Project Coordinator
Program OutlIine and Focus
Through a program of non-formal learning activities, participants engaged in intercultural exchange, developed their understanding of memorial culture, and explored themes of solidarity and remembrance. The program facilitated meetings with representatives of cultural institutions and activist initiatives in Warsaw and Gdańsk, including The Warsaw Rising Museum, the POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews, the Free Belarus Museum, the European Solidarity Centre, and the Museum of the Second World War in Gdańsk. These encounters facilitated networking, collaboration, and the development of project ideas related to promoting intercultural understanding and civic engagement within the field of memorial culture and public history. The exchange also involved city tours, which provided a deeper understanding of the local history and European memorial landscape.
The project is implemented within the EU Program Erasmus +. This publication reflects the views only of the author, and the European Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.
Specific Topics Explored Included:
Memorial Culture & Heritage: Analysis of how historical events are commemorated and memorialized in public spaces, museums, and cultural institutions. This involved examining different approaches to memorialization and their potential impact on collective memory.
The History of World War II and the Holocaust: Examination of the historical context, causes, and consequences of World War II and the atrocities committed by the Nazi regime, including the systematic persecution and genocide of Jews and other minority groups.
Media Representation & Historical Narratives: Critical examination of how historical narratives are constructed and disseminated through media, analyzing the influence of political agendas and ideological biases.
The Communist Past and its Legacy: The historical context of Soviet invasion of Poland and its lasting effects on the region.
Activism & Civic Engagement: Discussion of the role of activism in challenging historical injustices and promoting social change, with case studies of grassroots movements and advocacy campaigns.
Requirements to apply
Started in 2023, the project NoBorderSpace provides a platform to discuss complex and relevant issues such as the history of the relationships, intercultural contacts, imperial and colonial legacies, memory and the politics of history, nationalism, and contemporary conflicts. It also explores methods, approaches, and prospects for their peaceful transformation. Participants from Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Russia and Belarus joined a series of dialogues held in Baku, Yerevan, Batumi, Tbilisi, as well as the autumn school “International Dialogue for Understanding and Cultural Exchange” in Telavi.
Project Coordinator
Requirements to apply
Applicant's occupation
Interested in the preservaion of collective memory and actively involved in public history and memorial culture (such as museum and archival work, cultural journalism, independent historical research, tour guides, etc.),
Age and location
Applicants living in Germany and Poland, aged 18 to 30
The program covers visa processing, flights and travel, accommodation, and meals.
Experience
Experience in the mentioned topics is considered as an advantage but not required.
Application deadline
By September 13th, 23:59
The program MemoAct: Practices of Solidarity and Culture of Remembrance is designed for active engagement and project work focused on building international cooperation in the fields of history, memorial culture, and civic activism. Through workshops and sessions, participants will not only meet representatives of European cultural institutions but will also collaborate with them to develop ideas for new or existing projects.
Representatives of the following institutions are invited to participate in the program:
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The POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews
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The Warsaw to Remember Memorial Initiative
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The Słonecznik Solidarity Community Center
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The European Solidarity Centre
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The Museum of the Second World War in Gdańsk
and other civic initiatives.
A detailed program will be announced after the selection of participants.