„Theresienstadt, the True Face“ Memorial Trip to Prag
As part of our memorial trip to Prag, which took place from 05.06.2022 to 09.06.2022, we undertook an intensive and instructive journey with a group of 18 young people to the historical sites of the Second World War and the democracy movements. The aim was to bring the crimes of the Nazi regime and their effects on the Jewish population closer to the participants and to raise their awareness of democratic values and non-violent resistance.
Accompanied by a full-time and a volunteer support team, the trip was enriched by knowledgeable local guides who led us to the most important memorials and historical sites. Especially impressive was the interactive city tour on the topic of democratisation in Prag since the Nazi occupation, which was carried out in the form of an exciting GeoCaching rally. This innovative method enabled the young people to actively engage with history and to go on a journey of discovery together.
The highlight of the trip was not only engaging with the past, but also the opportunity to experience today's Prag with its cultural and political facets. On the last day, the young people had the freedom to explore the city in small groups and, in doing so, to strengthen the friendships they had formed.
A special element of the project was the accompaniment by a travel diary, which the participants filled with their impressions, photos and personal accounts. This digital diary, which was created at the end of the trip, not only represented a creative form of reflection, but was also published on our homepage in order to make the experiences accessible to a wider audience.
In addition to the historical examination of the crimes of the Nazi regime, we wanted to encourage the young people and show them how non-violent protest and communal resistance also led to success in more recent history – such as during the Prague Spring and the „Wende 1989“ (the turning point of 1989). Our aim was to encourage the young people to actively engage in a democratic society and to appreciate the value of freedom and human rights. We would like to sincerely thank the Landschaftsverband Westfalen Lippe (LWL), whose funding made it possible for us to carry out this valuable project.
