local.history
© Zeichnung: HMF, Katharina Müller
© Zeichnung: HMF, Katharina Müller
With the local.history funding program, the EVZ Foundation supports locally and regionally active history initiatives from Central and Eastern Europe. Funding is provided for projects aimed at addressing and remembering the period of National Socialism and World War II. The projects deal with places, persons and events of National Socialist history thematically.
A local reference is used to critical examine aspects of persecution under National Socialism, e.g. NS-forced labor, the persecution of Sinti and Roma, people with disabilities or resistance fighters. Local players and various target groups participate in order to create a contemporary and inclusive culture of remembrance. They reach the local population on locations in this way. It is important for the EVZ Foundation to connect with current debates in society and to raise questions about history from today's perspective.
© Centralne Muzeum Włókiennictwa w Łodzi
The project keeps alive the memory of Helena Bohle-Szacka – an artist, fashion and graphic designer, and also a concentration camp survivor – and puts her into the context of local history in Łódź.
With its artistic approach, the project reaches diverse target groups who are concerned with the topics of persecution and NS forced labor in a local context.
History and art are interconnected. Spaces are created to look at the biography of Helena Bohle-Szacka as well as the history of NS forced labor. The exhibition does not only show the past; it looks at the present and gives a warning against hatred and aggression within societies.
Project sponsor: Centralne Muzeum Włókiennictwa w Łodzi
Duration of the project: 2021-2022
Funding amount: EUR 58,206
Funding country: Republic of Poland
Website: https://cmwl.pl/public
© https://sirdsapzinasugunskurs.lv
On August 10, 1941 a small community of Jews in Latvia was exterminated. The mass grave is located in the forest, about 3 km from the city center of Cesis.
The aim of the project is to increase awareness in contemporary society of the traumatic legacy of the totalitarian past, in particular the Holocaust. Contemporary audiovisual art performances and art objects in the public space of the town of Cesis render the events of the time tangible and experienceable. In podcasts, participating artists talk about the importance of living memory of the victims of totalitarianism and its significance for the defense of democracy now.
The project will be carried out in four languages with the help of prominent Latvian artists and partner organizations. The local population is involved in the project.
The project takes place in a small town, but it is symbolic and can become one of the best practice projects in the country and also in Europe on account of its artistic approach.
Project sponsor: BURNING CONSCIENCE Exhibition Support Foundation; Cooperating Partners: Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung e. V., Embassy of Israel to Latvia, Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany to Latvia
Duration of the project: 2021-2022
Funding amount: 60.000 €
Funding country: Latvia
Website: sirdsapzinasugunskurs.lv
© screen https://stalag352story.by
The project tells the story of Soviet prisoners of war, using the example of the Stalag 352 history in multimedia form. 5.7 million Soviet soldiers were taken prisoner by the Germans. Of these, up to 3.35 million, i.e. more than half, died: due to hunger, disease, hard labor or targeted killings. This makes them one of the largest victim groups of World War II, along with the Soviet civilian population and the European Jews.
In this project, historians and web developers work together with residents of Masyukovshchyna, located on the outskirts of Minsk close to the former Stalag. The aim is not just to remember, but also to include the neglected location itself and to make it usable.
The local population will be involved in the preparation of the memorial site. The issue of prisoners of war in Belarus has not been addressed much until now and it will receive more attention through the project. The digital level will be taken into account from the start for a new memorial site. As it is unclear what will happen to the site, the project can be documented this way. The PR work strengthens the local civil society initiative which has been working for remembrance for years.
Project sponsor: Republican Union of Tourism Industry
Duration of the project: 2021-2022
Funding amount: 50.306 Euro
Funding country: Belarus
Website: Зберажом Масюкоўшчыну / Сохраним Масюковщину | Gruppen | Facebook
The resulting virtual map is an important tool for remembrance and information. The focus is on a case study of the city of Nowy Sacz that shows the consequences of a ruthless ideology without respect for human rights during the German occupation. The map will explore the history of whole communities as well as individuals, taking into account age, gender, creed, political views and social standing. In this way, the history of the occupied city is presented from the perspective of particular people whom we know by name, in certain places, and through certain events.
As a part of the project, teachers and schools at all levels (including the university for senior citizens) will be addressed. The map will be used as a resource in the teaching environments and it will also be of practical use to local and Polish nationwide tourism organizations. The content of the map is created by historians, the local population as well as young people.
The project combines local history and tourism today. The multimedia map can be used in many ways as a format - not just in educational work. The project is important as a best practice for the region.
Project sponsor: Fundacja Nomina Rosae Ogrod Kultury Dawnej
Duration of the project: 2021-2022
Funding amount: 45.000 Euro
Funding country: Polen
Website: „Wartime Nowy Sącz” – our new research&education project – Fundacja Nomina Rosae
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Senior Project Manager
Tel.: +49 (0)30 25 92 97-26
E-Mail: jentzsch@stiftung-evz.de
Senior Project Manager
Tel.: +49 (0)30 25 92 97-13
E-Mail: pustola@stiftung-evz.de
