Les Territoires de la Mémoire Becomes a Member the LRE Foundation Network

The LRE Foundation is proud to welcome Les Territoires de la Mémoire as a new member of its international network. Based in Liège, Belgium, the organisation promotes civic responsibility and confronts extremism through innovative educational and remembrance initiatives. 

Established in 1993 by survivors of Nazi concentration camps, the centre was founded in response to the resurgence of far-right ideologies in Belgium. Over the years, it has developed a broad range of initiatives, ranging from exhibitions and workshops to national campaigns and educational resources, aimed at fostering critical thinking, resistance to intolerance, and active citizenship, particularly among younger generations. 

The organisation’s work draws a clear line between past and present, using historical memory as a lens to address current challenges. This perspective is closely aligned with the mission of the LRE Foundation: to safeguard the legacy of the Second World War while promoting a culture of peace and democratic participation across Europe. 

Les Territoires de la Mémoire wanted to join the LRE network for several reasons,” explained Benjamin Blaise, Director of Les Territoires de la Mémoire. “We already had excellent contacts within the Foundation, and strengthening this European dimension was a natural step. The cross-border nature of our work, shaped by the stories of our founders, aligns with LREF’s vision. We also bring a perspective that connects memory with today’s democratic challenges, something increasingly important in the current context.” 

The partnership marks a significant step in expanding the Foundation’s presence and impact in Belgium and reinforces the importance of cross-border collaboration in memory work and civic education. 

We are delighted to welcome Les Territoires de la Mémoire to our growing European network,” said Rémi Praud, Managing Director of the LRE Foundation. “Their commitment to remembrance and their dedication to promoting civic engagement are deeply aligned with our mission. In a time of rising extremism and division, their voice and experience are especially valuable.” 

By joining forces, both organisations reinforce their efforts to connect the past with the present and help shape a more just and democratic future. 

New Campaign Highlights Liberation Route Europe as Sustainable Heritage Destination for North Americans 

We are proud to announce a new collaborative campaign to promote the Liberation Route Europe as a sustainable and cultural tourism destination for audiences in the United States and Canada. 

Developed in partnership with LRE France, LRE Italy, Visit Wallonia, with the support of the European Travel Commission, this campaign will promote the Liberation Route Europe’s international system of hiking and cycling trails connecting historic sites and stories linked to the Second World War. Special focus will be dedicated to routes in the partnering regions showcasing their unique WWII history and cultural sites. 

Already an example of sustainable tourism in practice, the Liberation Route Europe hiking trails offer visitors a different and slow way to explore Europe and its vast historical heritage. Through this new campaign, and following the lead of the European Travel Commission, even greater emphasis will be placed on sustainable and responsible tourism practices, encouraging visitors to travel responsibly, by using public transport, visiting off-season, and respecting local communities while preserving cultural and historical heritage for future generations. 

The campaign is currently in development with the creative agency Story 9 and is scheduled to launch in October 2025. It will also be featured on the prominent Visit Europe brand, ensuring wide visibility among North American travelers interested in meaningful, respectful ways to experience Europe’s shared history. 

Cecilia Badano, LRE Foundation’s Communication Director: “We are very happy about this collaboration. As the European Travel Commission shows, there is a growing interest among North American travelers in sustainable and slow tourism experiences, and many also have a personal or family connection to the history of the Second World War. This campaign is a great opportunity to bring the Liberation Route to a wider audience while encouraging responsible ways to explore Europe’s heritage.” 

For more information about the Liberation Route Europe visit www.liberationroute.com.  

This project is co-funded by the European Union. 

Save the Date: LRE Forum 2026 Heads to Gelderland, 9–12 March 

We are thrilled to announce that the 10th edition of the LRE Forum will take place from 9 to 12 March 2026 in Gelderland, the Netherlands. Mark your calendars and get ready to join us in a region that is not only rich in Second World War history and heritage, but also holds a special place in our story. Gelderland is where the Liberation Route Europe project was born, and it continues to be a cornerstone of our network today. 

As our annual event, the LRE Forum brings together our members, partners, tourism stakeholders and heritage professionals from across Europe and beyond. It offers a unique platform to connect, collaborate and exchange insights, while exploring the latest developments in WWII remembrance, heritage governance, and cultural tourism. 

We are currently working closely with our local members and partners in Gelderland to finalise the programme and event venues. Bringing the Forum to this region is not only meaningful, but also a valuable opportunity to highlight its significant place in Europe’s shared memory. 

The LRE Forum 2026 will feature a rich multiday programme, with new workshops, exhibitions, and numerous opportunities to discover and engage with the many projects led by the LRE Foundation. Some key appointments will return, including: 

  • The LRE Member Seminar – A moment for our members and partners to come together, share best practices, and receive updates on the Foundation’s activities. 
  • The LRE Conference – An afternoon of thought-provoking discussions featuring speakers and experts from around the world on topics related to WWII history and remembrance. This year, we will explore the future of remembrance, looking ahead to what comes after 80 years from the end of the war. 
  • The LRE Gala – A special evening for our members to celebrate the work of our community, deepen connections, and enjoy a convivial moment together. 
  • The LREXPO – A dedicated networking space where museums, memorial sites, cities, and regions can connect with travel professionals. 
  • Site Visits – Guided tours to discover both iconic and lesser-known WWII-related sites across the region of Gelderland, with a particular focus on the local wartime experience and the unfolding of Operation Market Garden. 

A key milestone of this edition will be the official presentation of the LRE Foundation 2030 Strategy, a forward-looking roadmap that outlines our long-term vision, goals and priorities for the coming years.  
 
Whether you’re a returning participant or new to the LRE network, the Forum offers a unique chance to build connections, gain fresh perspectives, and shape the future of remembrance together. 

📍 LRE Forum 2026 
📅 9–12 March
📌 Gelderland, the Netherlands 

Stay tuned for more details coming soon. In the meantime, mark your calendar and get ready for this upcoming edition of the LRE Forum. 

Four Artists Begin Their Art of Remembrance Residencies Across Europe 

We are pleased to announce the start of the Art of Remembrance artist residencies. Since June 2025, four international artists have been spending time at historic sites of memory across Europe, creating new works that explore the legacy of World War II and offer reflections on remembrance in today’s world. 

Each residency will take place in a location tied to a chapter of wartime history, from mountain refuges to former rocket bases and museums, offering a powerful setting for reflection, community engagement, and artistic creation. 

In Italy, Rebekka Bauer has begun her residency at the Nuto Revelli Foundation in Paraloup. Known for her thoughtful investigations into how history is archived and remembered, Rebekka will engage with the site’s rich partisan heritage and with the often-overlooked role of local women in the Resistance. 

Soon, Juhana Moisander will start his residency at the Sybir Memorial Museum in Białystok, Poland. A visual artist recognized for his immersive video installations, Juhana will work with the museum’s rich documentation of forced deportations and exile, creating work that explores themes of displacement, survival, and collective trauma. 

In France, Northern Irish artist Gail Ritchie is currently working at La Coupole. With her long-lasting interest in memory and conflict, Gail will study the site’s complex history as a World War II rocket base and its legacy for local communities, using her work to prompt reflection on the civilian experience of war and remembrance. 

Finally, Raphaël Dallaporta will begin his residency at the Bastogne War Museum in Belgium at the end of August. Renowned for his conceptual and photographic explorations of historical subjects, Raphaël will collaborate with the museum and local audiences to develop new interpretations of the Battle of the Bulge and its lasting human impact. 

Throughout the residencies, the artists will participate in workshops, community events and talks organised by the host institutions, creating not only new artworks, but also new conversations around the past and its meaning today. 

The Art of Remembrance residencies are part of a programme funded by the European Commission and developed by the LRE Foundation in collaboration with Tempora, the City of Bastogne, the Nuto Revelli Foundation, the Sybir Memorial Museum and La Coupole. The aim is to foster creative dialogue with places of memory and encourage new forms of remembrance that speak to contemporary audiences.

For more details about the programme and the participating artists, visit art-of-remembrance.eu

The Greek Municipality of Pilea-Hortiatis joins the LRE Foundation’s network 

The LRE Foundation is proud to welcome the Municipality of Pilea-Hortiatis as its member, marking another step forward in our mission to preserve and promote the memory of the Second World War across Europe. This collaboration not only strengthens our presence in Greece, but also highlights the shared commitment to safeguarding historical memory and transmitting its valuable lessons to future generations. 

Located in the Region of Central Macedonia, within the wider area of Thessaloniki, Pilea-Hortiatis is a municipality with a deep-rooted and rich cultural heritage. The area bears the scars and stories of the Second World War, with one of its most tragic chapters being the Hortiatis Holocaust. Today, the memory of those events lives on in the community’s active remembrance work, supported by local institutions and educators. 

The Municipality of Pilea-Hortiatis has made it a priority to engage younger generations in this history, fostering awareness and a sense of responsibility toward the past. 

It is a privilege to become a member of the Liberation Route Europe Foundation and we are looking forward to contributing to the mission of the organisation. Remembrance is a gift to the youth, and the phrase “I will never forget” offers a glimpse of hope for a brighter common future.”, said Ignatios Kaitezidis, Mayor of Pilea–Hortiatis and President of the Regional Association of Municipalities of Central Macedonia. 

Welcoming this new partnership, Rémi Praud, Managing Director of the LRE Foundation, commented: “We are honoured to welcome the Municipality of Pilea-Hortiatis into our network. Their dedication to memory preservation and education reflects the core values of the LRE Foundation. We look forward to exploring new opportunities for cooperation, research, and engagement in this historically significant region.” 

The LRE Foundation is keen to work closely with the Municipality of Pilea-Hortiatis and continuing to expand the Liberation Route in Greece, ensuring that the diverse stories of the Second World War continue to be remembered, shared, and passed on to future generations across Europe and beyond. 

Liberation Route Europe Youth Program – Liberation from Normandy to Paris 

From 23 to 26 June 2025 young participants from all over Europe travelled to Caen in Normandy to discover the history of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy 81 years after this turning point in World War II. This study trip to France constitutes the fourth edition of the highly successful Active Remembrance Youth Program carried out by the LRE Foundation between autumn 2024 and winter 2025/2026. 

Day 1 –  The Airborne Museum in Sainte-Mère-Église and the German Military Cemetery in La Cambe 

Organised by LRE France director Isabelle Lebreton, the week started with an introduction to the historical background of D-Day and the events leading up to the Allied invasion of Normandy starting on 6 June 1944 by tour guide Cécile Belland. The participants, coming from eight different European countries were grateful for this knowledge, in preparation for their visit to the Airborne Museum in Sainte-Mère-Église. Spread over different thematical buildings, visitors can learn everything about the airborne landings during D-Day, see original airplanes and can even try out a parachute themselves. 

In the afternoon, the bus brought the group to the German Military Cemetery in La Cambe, where the Volksbund Deutsche Kriegsgräberfürsorge e.V. site manager introduced the humanitarian association’s work to the young history enthusiasts. Tour guide Cécile Belland took us on a tour around the cemetery, explaining the architectural considerations that went into the construction of this site of remembrance. She brought our attention to some tombstones that stand out and emphasized the importance of also laying the soldiers of the aggressor’s side to a dignified rest. Learning about the average age of the soldiers buried here being only 20 years old was the most remarkable part of this sobering visit. 

Day 2 – Omaha Beach, the American Cemetery and the D-Day Museum Arromanches 

On the second day of the “Liberation from Normandy to Paris” exchange the first item on the agenda was the Normandy American Military Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer, an important part of the region’s remarkable WWII legacy. This cemetery stands in a stark contrast to the German cemetery visited the day before. It shows a clear symbolism of the victory of the Second World War and offers a breathtaking view of Omaha Beach, where the bloody battles in Normandy began on 6 June 1944. 

Afterwards, we drove to Arromanches-les-Bains for a chance to see the D-Day Museum Arromanches, located beautifully on the beach of the seaside resort, codenamed Gold Beach. The visit also allowed for a refreshing dip in the sea, overlooking the remnants of Mulberry Harbor, which provided vital replenishment of equipment and personnel for the Allies during the Battle for Normandy (until 30 August 1944), also known as Operation Overlord. 

Day 3 – Canadian Legacy at Juno Beach 

On Wednesday, the young participants had the opportunity to explore the Juno Beach Centre in Courseulles-sur-Mer. First, we discovered the remaining bunkers in the dunes. They were part of the German Atlantikwall, a defense system intended to prevent attacks coming from the Atlantic. The location also allows for easy access to Juno Beach, where 14,000 members of the First Canadian Army landed in 1944 to contribute to the liberation of Europe. This museum itself tells the story of the Canadian soldiers and also offers plenty of information regarding immigration to Canada, its native population and its societal issues since the post-war years. 

Day 4 – Paris and Reflections  

The last day started with a train ride to Paris and a visit to the Museum of the Order of Liberation located in the famous Hôtel National des Invalides. Afterwards, we also had time to discover the Historial Charles de Gaulle and the Army Museum in the same building complex. The end of the program was rounded off with a delicious lunch in a Parisian brasserie and a moment of reflection, where everyone could share their thoughts about this week. 

Interested in becoming part of the LRE Active Remembrance Youth Program? There are still spots available for our upcoming exchanges, you can find all information here.

Retracing the Footsteps of Canadian Liberators: a New Liberation Route Europe Trail Launched

The LRE Foundation, in collaboration with LRE France, the For Freedom Museum, and the Juno Beach Centre, has officially launched Retracing the Footsteps of Canadian Liberators: A European Trail, a new long-distance hiking route and part of the Liberation Route Europe network. The trail follows the path of Canadian troops during the Second World War and traverses France, Belgium, the Netherlands, ending in Germany

This is the first transnational trail dedicated to highlighting Canada’s often-overlooked role in the liberation of Northwest Europe. The project connects over 200 sites and stories, including historic sites, museums, monuments, and personal biographies, many of which remain underrepresented in mainstream WWII narratives. 

“This trail is more than a commemoration, it’s a living, walkable history lesson,” said Emme Johnson, Project Manager at the LRE Foundation. “It allows people to engage with the past in a meaningful, physical way and reflects our commitment to inclusive remembrance.” 

By retracing the journey of Canadian forces, the initiative supports sustainable tourism, cross-border cooperation, and transnational storytelling. A multi-perspective approach ensures that local, Canadian, and European voices are all represented, highlighting both military operations and civilian experiences. This inclusive narrative invites deeper reflection on the shared legacy of liberation and the many ways it shaped communities across Northwest Europe. 

In addition to the key partners, the trail has been made possible thanks to the support of the following partners: Juno Beach Centre Association, FFRandonnée, the European Ramblers Association, and Stichting Wandelnet. It is co-funded by Interreg North-West Europe (NWE)

All route information and related stories are freely accessible via the Liberation Route Europe website and app, which offer interactive maps, historical insights, and practical tools to help hikers plan their journey and connect with the shared history of Europe’s liberation. 

The Municipality of Miehikkälä and the Salpa Line Museum Join the LRE Foundation Network 

The LRE Foundation is pleased to welcome the municipality of Miehikkälä and its Salpa Line Museum as members of its growing international network. Located in south-eastern Finland, the museum plays a crucial role in preserving and presenting the story of Salpalinja – one of Europe’s most impressive defensive structures built during World War II. 

Established in 1987, the Salpa Line Museum explores the history of the 1,200-kilometre-long Salpalinja (or Salpa Line), a land-defence line constructed after the Winter War to protect Finland’s eastern border. Covering several hectares of rugged, rocky terrain, the Salpa Line was originally constructed as the defence centre for an augmented company. Today, the open-air museum site showcases this legacy through a combination of bunkers, trenches and natural landscapes, offering visitors a powerful glimpse into Finland’s wartime past. 

Rémi Praud, Managing Director of the LRE Foundation, commented: 
“We are delighted to welcome Miehikkälä and the Salpa Line Museum. Their commitment to preserving Salpalinja brings a remarkable Finnish perspective to our network and enriches the shared narrative of Europe’s wartime heritage. 

Katri Kotasaari from the Miehikkälä echoed this sentiment, highlighting the museum’s growing international focus: The Miehikkälä Salpalinja Museum joining LREF is an important step in developing the museum’s and Salpalinja’s domestic and international cooperation and networking. We only joined this year, but belonging to the foundation has already shown to be effective.”  

Last month, LRE Foundation Managing Director Rémi Praud and Project Manager Emme Johnson visited Finland as part of a multi-day programme organised by local members. During the visit, they had the opportunity to explore the Salpa Line Museum in Miehikkälä firsthand and engaged with its dedicated team. 

Connecting with institutions across Europe—particularly in regions whose histories remain underrepresented in mainstream WWII narratives—is central to the LRE Foundation’s mission. The addition of the Salpa Line Museum not only expands the Foundation’s geographic reach but also deepens its ability to tell a more inclusive and diverse story of Europe’s wartime past. 

The LRE Foundation looks forward to supporting the municipality’s future initiatives and promoting the Salpa Line Museum across its international community. 

Preserving the Past, Securing the Future: Inspiring Dialogue and Sustainable Practices in Berlin

On 13 June 2025, the LRE Foundation hosted a one-day event in Berlin to kick-off the Preserving the Past, Securing the Future project. The project is led by the LRE Foundation, with partners Mascontour, Fondazione Campus, and the Juno Beach Centre, and co-funded by the European Union. The programme brought together professionals working in heritage tourism, education, and museum management to share strategies on sustainability and the long-term relevance of memory sites.

The day began with registration and coffee, including an informal icebreaker to help participants connect. Annabelle Türkis moderated the event and introduced the day’s goals and structure.

Luigi Cabrini, Chair of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), delivered the keynote speech, highlighting key sustainability challenges and opportunities for tourism destinations.

This was followed by a panel discussion titled Shaping Sustainable Destinations: Strategies for Managing & Marketing with Purpose. Speakers included:

· Franziska Lienert, Project Lead Sustainable Berlin (visitBerlin)

· Menekse Wenzler, Deputy Director, Foundation German Museum of Technology Berlin and Board Member, German Museum Association

· Luigi Cabrini, Chair, GSTC

· Matthias Beyer, Managing Director, Mascontour

The panel addressed how destination managers and institutions can apply sustainability standards in practice, focusing on positive environmental and societal impact, visitor management, and strong partnerships.

After a coffee break, the focus shifted to case studies. Nathalie Worthington (Juno Beach Centre, France) presented the ambitious and inspiring strategy that the Juno Beach Centre has implemented in the last years to reduce its carbon footprint. In a second case study, Beatrice Verri from the Nuto Revelli Foundation presented the development of Paraloup, a small site in Italy connected to partisan history, into an active cultural and educational space.

A second panel followed the lunch break, exploring the role of interpretation, education, and emotional engagement in encouraging more responsible tourism practices:

· Ludivine Destrée, Senior Marketing Manager, European Travel Commission

· Matthew Menneke, Founder and Guide, On the Front Tours

· Simon Reuter, Senior Research Partnership Manager, Outdooractive

To close the formal programme, Emme Johnson (LRE Foundation) introduced upcoming training opportunities within the Preserving the Past, Securing the Future project, aimed at professionals working in Second World War remembrance, heritage and tourism.

The event concluded with a walking tour of the Berlin Wall, organised by On the Front Tours, offering participants an opportunity to explore Berlin’s layered history firsthand.

This event is part of a broader European initiative to support the sustainable development of memory sites, combining heritage preservation with practical skills and professional exchange. Find out more about the project here: A Sustainable Approach to Cultural and Remembrance Heritage