One History – Many Stories

About:

“One History-Many Stories” is a historical-political education project that brings together young people from Germany, Poland and Ukraine to explore the history of Nazi forced labour by looking at the biographies of victims and their own family histories at authentic historical sites. Through field and archive research, creative workshops and discussions, the group develops multi-perspective narrative formats to promote dialogue, understanding and reconciliation. The project uses analog and digital methods and aims to build sustainable connections and use the knowledge gained in the modern world to strengthen a democratic Europe.

Project Dates: 17. + 18.06.2025 online meeting; 24.07.-03.08.2025 exchange Program in GörlitZgorzelec (Germany, Poland), 21.08.2025 final online meeting

PROJECT FACTS

Who: People aged 18-27 from Ukraine, Poland, Germany

Where: European City of Görlitz-Zgorzelec (Germany and Poland)

What about: Research on Forced Labor and family history connected to WWII, creating a creative outlet with your findings

Places: Görlitz-Zgorzelec, Memorial Site Stalag VIII A Görlitz, Memorial Site Forced Labour Leipzig, Memorial Site KZ Groß-Rosen (Rogoznica), Thormersdorf/Toporów

Project Goals: learn professional research from experts, learn how to conduct professional interviews, learn about public history, learning about different media-outlets while conducting research in the region, create your own project surrounding a biography using creative means and modern media-outlets

Language: A good level of English is essential.

Accommodation: The group will live together in Peregrinus Herberge Görlitz, Langenstraße 37, 02826 Görlitz, where they will be responsible for self-organizing their group-life with the help of the team of organizers.

Costs: The project is funded by different outlets of the German Government, who will take over the participation fee 100% which includes accommodation, meals and workshop costs. Travel costs for participants from Ukraine will be refunded.

Activities: During the programme activities will consist of walks and also cycling. Please consider whether you are physically able to attend. If you are in need of assistance, please contact us.

How to apply: Apply by filling out this form. We will contact you for a short interview afterwards.

Application deadline: 12.05.2025

ORGANIZERS

Meetingpoint Memory Messiaen e.V. (DE)

The Meetingpoint Memory Messiaen refers in its work to the history and heritage of the former German prisoner-of-war camp Stalag VIII A Görlitz, today Zgorzelec. At this authentic site of Nazi crimes, the association uses multi-perspective and transnational forms of commemoration in the historical-political education of young people. At the memorial site, the association organizes not only international educational work but also conferences and research projects.

PARTNERS

After Silence «Після тиші» (UA)

The public organization after silence is an initiative created in 2021.

We work in the fields of memorial culture, public history and social anthropology to develop a critical understanding of Ukraine’s past and present.

Tools — field researches, oral history, digitization of private archives, documentaries, media presentation.

Focus — individual experiences and collective traumas, memory and postmemory.

Fundacja Pamięć, Edukacja, Kultura (PL)

As the host of the European Centre Memory, Education, Culture, the Foundation is responsible for the maintenance of both the Centre, and the remaining area of the former Stalag VIIIA and the Soviet POW Cemetery. Under its care is also the monument dedicated to the memory of the prisoners of Stalag, and the adjacent square. The Foundation organizes meetings, seminars and scientific conferences, exhibitions, concerts and workshops for young people and adults, as well as national holiday celebrations.

PROJECT COORDINATOR | CONTACT

Mariana Yavorska

yavorska@meetingpointmm.eu                               Meetingpoint Memory Messiaen e.V

www.meetingpoint-memory-messiaen.eu            Demianiplatz 40, D-02826 Görlitz

FUNDING

Das Projekt wird von der Stiftung EVZ und dem Auswärtigen Amt im Rahmen des Programms JUGEND erinnert international gefördert.

Stand: 15.04.2025