Viola Scalacci, Author at LRE Foundation

The Market Garden Cycling Route is the first cycling trail of Liberation Route Europe

Posted on July 17, 2023July 17, 2023 by Viola Scalacci

Following the success of the Market Garden hiking trails, the LRE Foundation, in collaboration with Bart Verhulst, the creator of www.marketgarden.cc, developed the Market Garden cycling route, the first Liberation Route cycling route.

Stretching from Leopoldsburg in Belgium to the renowned “Bridge Too Far” in Arnhem, the Netherlands, the Market Garden route is littered with sites telling the stories of one of the largest Allied operations of the Second World War. Along the way, cyclists will encounter monuments, cemeteries, landmarks, audio stories, and remembrance sites. The new cycling route provides a unique opportunity to commemorate and pay tribute to those who lost their lives, as well as reflect on the liberation of Europe.

The total length of the route is 240 kilometres, which can be cycled in multiple stages. Beginning at the Liberation Garden Museum, the route follows the cycling knots system, enabling easy offline navigation while ensuring cyclists pass through picturesque landscapes and traverse peaceful roads. For a deeper immersion into the local history, cyclists can make use of the Liberation Route app, which highlights all the points of interest and their accompanying stories.

“It’s incredibly satisfying to see Liberation Route Europe evolve, now including not only hiking trails but also cycling routes.”, says Rémi Praud, LRE Foundation Managing Director. “The Operation Market Garden Cycling Route is a big step forward for our project, allowing a wider audience to engage with World War II history in a sustainable, green, and healthful manner. And this is just the beginning; new cycling routes will be developed across Europe in the coming months.”

Andrew Goodchild, a former British Army Aviator and avid cyclist, embarked on this historical journey alongside Bart Verhulst and Wout van Aalst, the LRE Foundation’s Project Officer. Together, they cycled the route to immerse themselves in the rich history of Market Garden. Videos documenting this adventure can be found on Andrew’s Youtube channel, Divum.

LRE Foundation welcomes Muisti Centre of War and Peace as its first Finnish member

Posted on July 3, 2023July 3, 2023 by Viola Scalacci

We are pleased to announce our newest member, the Muisti Centre of War and Peace in Mikkeli, marking a significant milestone for the LRE Foundation as it expands its presence into Finland. This partnership sets the stage for cooperation on exciting projects and fruitful collaborations in a country that holds a profound historical memory of the Second World War.

The Muisti Centre of War and Peace is a modern museum that delves into the impact of war through the lens of human experience. Housed in a historic building that once served as the military headquarters during the Second World War, the museum has been transformed into a sprawling 1000m² exhibition space.

The museum’s commitment to sharing war experiences to promote peace is perfectly aligned with the LRE Foundation’s mission. Together, the two organisations will collaborate on a range of projects, including Liberation Route Europe, the LRE Youth Programmes, and Europe Remembers, among others.

“We’re thrilled to welcome the Muisti Centre of War and Peace, our first Finnish member, into the LRE Foundation. This significant step strengthens our presence in Finland, a nation with a rich World War II history.” Says Rémi Praud, Managing Director of LRE Foundation, “We look forward to collaborating on meaningful projects that deepen our historical understanding and memory transmission”

“We are delighted to have been accepted as a member of the LRE Foundation. The Second World War is still the most important series of events that influenced European identities. Every nation has its experiences, but human experiences are common. By joining the network, we want to offer our partners a northern perspective on the war experience.” says CEO Olli-Pekka Leskinen, Muisti Centre of War and Peace.

Discover the new Liberation Route Europe’s Trails in Italy!

Posted on June 29, 2023June 30, 2023 by Viola Scalacci

LRE Italy, one of the LREF national branches, has created a network of thematic routes and trails related to World War II in Italy as part of the “Liberation Route Europe’s Trails in Italy” project. The initiative was made possible by support from the Federal Republic of Germany’s German-Italian Future Fund. Taking inspiration from the existing Liberation Route Europe project at the European level, LRE Italy has created these itineraries to provide visitors with a better knowledge of the war’s impact on Italy.

Thematic itineraries focus on two major areas: the Gothic Line in Tuscany and Emilia Romagna, as well as the Gustav Line. These routes emphasize significant World War II remembrance sites, monuments, and museums, allowing visitors to interact with the stories and memories associated with this period. LRE Italy has also developed three city thematic routes for Lucca, Milan, and Rome. These itineraries act as physical and virtual links between numerous historical landmarks in these cities.

LRE Italy has included three urban trekking routes in Milan, Lucca, and Rome to diversify the visitor experience. By offering both rural and urban itineraries, travellers can explore a wide range of locations, from well-known sites to lesser-known places of international significance.

All the newly developed thematic routes are conveniently accessible online at liberationroute.com.

LRE Italy intends to continue growing its network of thematic routes in the future years. The goal is to create this network of trails that can be travelled on foot, by bicycle, or even virtually, connecting the regions where Italy was liberated from Nazi occupation and the fascist regime between 1943 and 1945.

A new section for the Canadian Liberation Route: the Drenthe hiking trails

Posted on June 26, 2023June 29, 2023 by Viola Scalacci

In the lead-up to the ’80 Years of Freedom” in 2025, the LRE Foundation will launch a new long-distance walking route in Drenthe on June 28. Following the Friesland Route, the Drenthe route will be the second section of the Canadian Liberation Route to be inaugurated in the Netherlands.

Covering a distance of over 150 kilometres, the walking route in Drenthe spans from Meppel to Havelte and from Zuidwolde to Zuildaren and includes more than 50 stories, 60 remembrance sites and four circular routes.

The new route will be part of the Canadian Liberation Route, an essential addition to the Liberation Route Europe hiking trail network that focuses on retracing the steps of Canadian liberators in the Netherlands during 1944-45. Beyond the military story, the journey delves into the role of the resistance in liberation, the actions of secret agents, and the experiences of regular citizens.

As part of the launch ceremony on June 28, a “Vector of Memory” will be unveiled. These memorials, designed by the American architect Daniel Libeskind, are scattered throughout the province and mark significant events on the ‘Canadian Trail’. The monument has been adopted by the Hooghalen Public Primary School IKC de Bosvlinder, bringing local war history to life for children and passing on the legacy of WWII to future generations.

The development of the new long-distance walking route and the installation of the Vector of Memory in Drenthe were made possible by the Province of Drenthe, as well as organizations such as Regio Groningen-Assen, FB Oranjewoud, Stichting Waarborgfonds Meppel, vfonds, and the nine municipalities along the route.

“The launch of the new walking route in Drenthe, part of the Canadian Liberation Route, is a significant milestone in commemorating ’80 Years of Freedom’.” says Rémi Praud, LRE Foundation Managing Director. “It allows us to retrace the steps of Canadian liberators, shed light on resistance stories, and remember the experiences of ordinary citizens. Moreover, the unveiling of the ‘Vector of Memory’ monument creates a tangible link to the past, ensuring the legacy of World War II is passed on. We are grateful to the Province of Drenthe and our partners for making this initiative possible.”

The Var Department has joined the LRE Foundation and launched “Var 1944 – the Var’s freedom routes”

Posted on June 12, 2023June 12, 2023 by Viola Scalacci

We are thrilled to announce the expansion of the LRE Foundation’s network: Var, the French Department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region, has joined us and our national branch, LRE France. Rémi Praud, Managing Director of the LRE Foundation, and Isabelle Lebreton, Director of the LRE France, attended the official launch of the “Var 1994 – the Var’s Freedom Routes” on June 9 in Toulon, France, as a first step in this collaboration.

On August 15, 1944, 70 days after the Normandy landings, the Allied forces, supported by the Var resistance fighters, carried out the Operation Dragoon, a naval and air operation involving American, British, Canadian, and French troops in Provence. This operation liberated the Provence region in less than two weeks, yet it spanned over three months and involved more than 900 000 soldiers.

Nearly 80 years later, the Var’s Freedom Routes aim to commemorate the soldiers, both men and women, who participated in the operation by highlighting significant sites in the Var department. The official launch of the project served as a forum for informing and bringing together all stakeholders involved in this significant project.

One of the first stages of the new partnership between the Var Department and the LRE France and LRE Foundation is to include “Var 1994 – the Var’s Freedom Routes” in the Liberation Route Europe project. The two organizations will work together to promote the route, its sites and stories related to the history of the Second World War to an international audience.

“The project, which was launched on Friday in anticipation of the 80th anniversary of Europe’s liberation, is completely consistent with all of the causes we support.”, says Isabelle Lebreton, LRE France Director. “We are pleased to see the development of an itinerary on the Var’s Freedom Routes, which has earned its legitimate place within the Liberation Route Europe. We are thrilled to be working with the Var Department and to welcome it to our network.”

An historical seminar will be held in Lyon as part of the Resistance Through Their Eyes project

Posted on May 3, 2023May 3, 2023 by Viola Scalacci

A seminar titled “Resistance During the Second World War: A Comparative Perspective” will take place on May 25th at the Lyon Resistance Museum in France. The event is part of a larger workshop that relates to the Resistance through their Eyes project, which is funded by the European Union and co-organized by several institutions across Europe, including the LRE Foundation, the Resistance Museum in the Netherlands, the Home Army Museum in Poland, the White Rose Foundation in Germany, the City of Milan, and the Ferruccio Parri National Institute in Italy.

The Resistance through their Eyes project’s goal is to raise awareness of the diverse experiences of those involved in the resistance, including women, students, and minorities, as well as to emphasize the importance of protecting human rights and rejecting all forms of discrimination based on race, religion, ethnicity, gender, identity, and sexual orientation. Furthermore, this initiative will target to a young audience by organizing events and educational programs specifically designed for youth.

During the three-day workshop which will be held in May in Lyon, the project partners will have the opportunity to discuss any outstanding issues regarding the Resistance through their Eyes project’s implementation and the final shape of the travelling exhibition, which will take place in various language formats as part of the project.

In this context, the historical seminar aims to provide a comparative perspective on the diverse resistance movements across Europe during WWII, shedding light on their distinct features and commonalities. The seminar will be held during the three-day workshop and is open to all representatives of museums, institutions, organizations, and associations that deal with WWII and are interested in our leading theme of resistance

On the one hand, participants will have the occasion to explore the challenges and opportunities of studying and presenting resistance to the public. On the other hand, the seminar will foster dialogue and information exchange among historians, academics, and practitioners working in the field of resistance studies.

“We are enthusiastic to continue promoting the diverse WWII history to an international audience through events like the upcoming historical seminar.”, says Joanna Roman, LREF Project Manager. “By emphasizing unique and shared traits of resistance movements across Europe and considering multi-perspective narratives, we aim to bring greater awareness to the significance of these events. We are thrilled to share this rich history of the resistance with Europeans and foster a deeper understanding of the individual and complex experiences of those involved.”

It is now possible to sign up for the historical seminar “Resistance During the Second World War: A Comparative Perspective” until May 19th. To register, click here.

SAVE THE DATE | The LRE Forum 2024 will take place in Aachen, Germany, from 26-29 February

Posted on April 26, 2023April 28, 2023 by Viola Scalacci

Following the resounding success of the LRE Forum 2023 in Florence, we are pleased to announce that the LRE Forum 2024, co-organized by the LRE Foundation along with LRE Germany and LRE NRW, will be held from 26-29 February in Aachen, Germany. With its rich history and significance during WWII, Aachen is the ideal setting for the LRE Foundation’s annual gathering.

The LRE Forum brings together LRE Foundation members, partners, and tourism stakeholders from around the world for a variety of exciting activities to share innovative ideas and best practices. The event provides a one-of-a-kind opportunity for all attendees to learn from one another, network, and develop new collaborations.

The LRE Forum 2024 will kick off with a get-together event on Monday 26th February, followed by a jam-packed schedule of events and activities. During the course of the forum, attendees will have the chance to delve into the possibilities of the remembrance sector by attending talks and panel discussions led by prominent experts. They will also have the opportunity to meet with other LREF members and partners, share experiences, and receive updates from the Foundation. Furthermore, the LRE Forum 2024 will present excellent opportunities for networking with travel trade stakeholders and exploring some of the most influential locations, museums, and memorials linked to Aachen’s WWII history.

Mark your calendars for the LRE Forum 2024 in Aachen, Germany, and get ready to share innovative ideas, and best practices with other like-minded professionals. Keep an eye on our website for more information and updates.

On April 15th, the LRE Foundation will launch a new walking route, the Friesland section of the Canadian Liberation Route

Posted on April 13, 2023April 13, 2023 by Viola Scalacci

On 15^th April, 78 years ago, Canadian troops liberated Leeuwarden and large parts of Friesland in the Netherlands. To commemorate this historical event, the LRE Foundation will launch a new long-distance walking route in Friesland on the same day this year. This route will be part of the Canadian Liberation Route, an important addition to the Liberation Route Europe hiking trail network that follows the Canadian advance to liberate the country in 1944-45.

A ceremony will be held in Leeuwarden to commemorate the liberation of the province and officially launch the new route. Nathalie Kramers, Deputy Mayor of Leeuwarden, Avine Fokkens, member of the Friesland Provincial Executive, Matthieu Borsboom, vfunds Chairman and Ed Kronenburg, Chairman of the LRE Foundation Supervisory Board, will speak during the ceremony, emphasizing the significance of commemorating and celebrating our freedom. Moreover, A delegation from the Royal Canadian Dragoons, which played an important role in the liberation, will be present to witness the unveiling of Leeuwarden’s ‘Vector of Memory’, one of the Liberation Route Europe memorials designed by the American architect Daniel Libeskind which are scattered throughout the province to mark the most relevant events on the ‘Canadian Trail’.

The installation of the ‘Vector of Memory’ in Leeuwarden was made possible by vfonds and other organizations such as the Gemeente Leeuwarden, Stichting FB Oranjewoud, Stichting Friesland 1940-1945, and the Province of Friesland. The vector was adopted by the Public Primary School IKC Aventurijn’s pupils as part of the national project “Adopt a Monument’” that brings local history to life for children.

“The 250-kilometre walking route in Friesland is an important addition to the Liberation Route Europe hiking trails network, stretching from De Blesse in the south to Lauwersmeer in the north of the province.“, says Gert-Jan Jacobs, LREF Press and Communications Advisor “It includes more than 60 stories linked to more than 90 locations, showcasing not only the military story from various perspectives, but also the involvement of the resistance in the liberation, collaboration, hiding, sheltering evacuees, deployment of secret agents, and the experiences of ordinary citizens. Together, these stories tell the history of the liberation of Friesland, making it accessible to both young and old audiences.“

The Canadian Liberation Route does not end with Friesland: the province of Groningen will be soon part of the Canadian Trails in the Netherlands as well. Eighty stories from this province have already been added to the Liberation Route Europe website, and eight audio stories will be included soon. Furthermore, another Vector of Memory will be unveiled in Groningen at the end of 2023.

The “Maison du Tourisme Cœur de l’Ardenne, au fil de l’Ourthe & de l’Aisne” is a new member of the LRE Foundation

Posted on April 12, 2023April 12, 2023 by Viola Scalacci

We are delighted to announce that the Maison du Tourisme Cœur de l’Ardenne, au fil de l’Ourthe & de l’Aisne has joined the LRE Foundation’s network. This exciting collaboration will help to preserve and promote the historical heritage of a region that played a pivotal role during World War II.

The Maison du Tourisme represents five municipalities, including Erezée, Houffalize, La Roche-en-Ardenne, Manhay and Rendeux. The office is dedicated to promoting sustainable tourism and preserving the Ardennes region’s natural, cultural, and historical heritage.

As a region that played a significant role in the Second World War, two museums stand out: on the one hand, the Battle of the Bulge Museum in La Roche-en-Ardenne, which presents a British section and contains military vehicles, documents, photographs, personal belongings and equipment found on the battleground near the town. On the other hand, the Manhay History 44 Museum is dedicated to the Second World War, specifically to the American units that liberated Manhay.

The LRE Foundation and the Maison du Tourisme Cœur de l’Ardenne will work together to implement the Liberation Route Europe project, which will include the development of themed routes throughout the region.

“We are delighted to welcome the Maison du Tourisme Cœur de l’Ardenne, au fil de l’Ourthe & de l’Aisne to the LRE Foundation. Their dedication to promoting sustainable tourism and preserving the region’s historical heritage aligns perfectly with our mission. We look forward to developing themed routes and implementing the Liberation Route Europe project, which will highlight the region’s pivotal role in WWII.“, says Rémi Praud, LRE Foundation Managing Director.