The European Network Remembrance and Solidarity (ENRS), an Warsaw based NGO, has for 20 years been undertaking this challenge, creating a space for conversation and a common lens for viewing the history of 20th-century Europe.
”Twentieth-century history has left behind profound scars and a permanent legacy. World wars, totalitarianisms, the Holocaust, displacements, or the battle for freedom and human rights, have shaped the Europe we know today. But is it possible to build a common future in Europe, not taking into account the diverse perspectives of its analyses, interpretations, experiences, and the sensitivities of other nations? Can different perspectives of events of the previous century unite instead of dividing?
In times of growing polarisation, when memory often becomes a tool of politics and disinformation, the ENRS reminds of the power of dialogue and mutual understanding, as well as inviting critical reflection of the past, which continues to resonate in our present and becomes one of the elements of social responsibility”, an ENRS press release stated.
More about who is ENRS and what this NGO is doing, here and/or here.
The inhabitants of Europe shall get to know and understand one another better
“The European Network Remembrance and Solidarity was founded in order to support international dialogue on the history of Europe, its states and nations in the 20th century. It is important to us that this topic takes up the place it deserves in public discourse and, following this, that the inhabitants of Europe get to know and understand one another better.
Wars, the deaths of millions, the collapse of empires, the emergence of new and rebirth of previously existing states, displacement of people, changes to borders, concentration camps, the holocaust, totalitarian and authoritarian political systems – nazism and communism, pauperisation and subjugation of entire nations and social groups, the battle for freedom, reclaiming and managing it, the battle for human rights and their observance – these are selected processes that took place in the 20th century.
Knowledge and memory of them co-create our identity, our stance towards others and towards ourselves,” says Rafał Rogulski, director of the ENRS.
Six countries involved in ENRS, Romania included
For 20 years of its activities, the ENRS has undertaken and continues to undertake a series of initiatives and actions serving as a space for polyphony – a place where diverse narrations are able to coexist, mutually enriching one another.
From creating exhibitions, to carrying out public campaigns, educational and interdisciplinary they are gaining a special dimension: the 20th anniversary of the Network’s operation, as well as the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II – the very event the memory and disputes about which gave rise to the origins of the Network in the first place. Its circle, including Poland, Germany, Hungary, Slovakia and Romania, has grown this year to include the Czech Republic.
The dialogue about history and about the memory of the 20th century, a never ending task
“Cultivating dialogue about history and about the memory of the 20th century is a never ending task. This is a continuous process carried out by a series of institutions in different countries: history museums, places of commemoration, government and self-government, public and private institutions.
The majority of these concentrate on the history of the country in which they were founded and operate. We, however, strive for them to cooperate with one another, and thus consolidate international dialogue on different events and processes of 20th-century history.
Our partners in these efforts are all interested parties – from politicians, to media, officials, opinion-forming groups, which co-create the institutional landscape of our reality, to an entire multitude of people aware of being a certain element of historical processes, and willing to learn as much as possible about them,” states R. Rogulski.
Among the anniversary celebrations, ENRS foresees a series of special events
− the “Grandparents. Grand Stories. The Closest Stories from World War II” competition, encouraging youth to deepen their knowledge of World War II history, particularly family and local history, through the relations of witnesses from their closest milieu,
− The 13th edition of the “European Remembrance” symposium in Helsinki, with the aim of initiating and supporting cooperation between institutions and organisations responsible for the history of 20th-century Europe, its commemoration and historical education,
− the ceremonial meeting of the Bodies of the ENRS in Warsaw in June of this year,
− international debates and conferences, during which experts, historians and practitioners from the world will discuss over the challenges of memory in the 21st century;
− exhibitions showcasing diverse outlooks at difficult events of the 20th century and their influence on Europe today,
− educational projects and public campaigns, which engage the younger generation in reflection over history and its contemporary significance,
− educational video projections,
− scientific publications exploring the issues of memory and its multidimensional character.
We invite you to jointly reflect on how memory about history can influence our future. We encourage you to ask important questions about how history from long ago can unite us, and to co-create a space in which dialogue and cooperation are key. We offer assistance and support in carrying out any initiatives that help to build a more solidary and united Europe based on mutual understanding and openness towards diverse views of history.
