Exchange Trip

Northern France and Belgium Liberation

The exchange program taking place in France and Belgium offers young history enthusiasts the opportunity to delve deep into the historical events that shaped our modern world.

Participants will engage in a variety of creative projects, including video production, podcast creation, and historical storytelling, enabling them to explore and express the human stories behind the conflict.

As the exchange traverses the landscapes where pivotal battles were fought, participants will gain invaluable insights into the war’s legacy. This program isn’t just about learning history; it’s about bringing it to life through modern media. As a participant, you’ll work collaboratively with fellow participants, sharing perspectives and improving your skills in storytelling and digital media.

Whether you’re interviewing locals with personal stories to tell, capturing the essence of historical sites on film, or recording narratives and interviewing people for a podcast, you’ll contribute to preserving these vital memories for future generations. Join us in this educational adventure, and be a part of a living history that continues to resonate today.

On The Agenda

highlights

La Coupole

La Coupole, one of the most atypical German constructions of the Second World War, was intended to serve as a storage and launch base for the V2 rockets. Since 1997, it has been a place of remembrance. The history centre, with a number of exhibition rooms and two cinemas, features a large number of unpublished photos of the region, and rare objects such as a real V2 rocket and a V1 flying bomb.

Dunkirk

The Dunkerque 1940 – Operation Dynamo Museum tells the story of Dunkirk during WWII. From the Battle of Dunkirk and the evacuation of the British and French troops to England in 1940, to the Czechoslovakian soldiers liberating the town on 9 May 1945. Most of the memorabilia on show in the museum was found in and around Dunkirk: on the beach, in the dunes, or in the sea.

Mons Memorial Museum

A permanent exhibition covering 1,200 m² traces the military history of the city of Mons, from the Ancien Régime to the Second World War. The museum invites visitors to consider the complex realities of war-related phenomena.

House of European History - Brussels

The permanent exhibition guides visitors through European history, from Europe's origins and evolution, to the descent into war and search for a better life.

Detailed Program

On the first day, participants will gather in Brussels, Belgium. From Brussels, the group will travel to a small French town where they’ll find La Coupole: one of the most atypical German constructions of the Second World War, which was intended to serve as a storage and launch base for the V2 rockets. Participants will attend a guided tour and receive all the information that’s needed to start with the content creation. In the afternoon we’ll travel to Dunkirk for free time and an overnight stay.

Day 2 starts in Dunkirk, where participants will visit the Operation Dynamo Museum. The museum tells the story of Dunkirk during WWII. From the Battle of Dunkirk and the evacuation of the British and French troops to England in 1940, to the Czechoslovakian soldiers liberating the town on 9 May 1945. There will be time for the recording of podcasts and videos and to reflect on the importance of remembrance, living in peace and knowledge transmission between the participants. We’ll stay in the same accomodation as the night before.

Day 3 brings the participants to the Belgian city of Mons, where we’ll pay a visit to the Mons Memorial Museum. The museum invites visitors to consider the complex realities of war-related phenomena. Participants will have time for their own research in the museum. In the afternoon the group will discover the city centre of Mons and the story of the end of the war and the liberation, by walking one of the themed routes of the Liberation Route Europe. In the afternoon, we’ll travel to Brussels to spend the night.

The last day of the exchange program starts in Brussels. At the House of European History, the permanent exhibition guides visitors through European history, from Europe’s origins and evolution, to the descent into war and search for a better life. After everyone has finished their research, the program ends around 16:00. Participants can start their home-journey from one of the train stations in Brussels.

Their Experience

Testimonials

“This exchange was an occasion to see history come to life right where it happened. It also allowed me to connect with other young people, reinforcing my identity as a European. I think that especially in times like these it is crucial to gain experiences that make you aware of the importance of peace dialogue and human connection over nationalism and extremist ideologies.”

Livia, 19 years old

Italy

“I chose to participate in the exchange because of my interest in history. The “Liberation from Northern France to Belgium” exchange has exceeded my expectations mostly because of meeting other like-minded participants from various European countries. My favourite part of the program were the guided tours in Dunkirk and Mons.”

Sabina, 22 years old

Czechia

“I really enjoyed the youth exchange. The first two days in Dunkirk were a great opportunity to learn more about Operation Dynamo and the city’s history. My highlights from Belgium were the guided tour around the city of Mons and the visit to the House of European History in Brussels. For me, this exchange was an opportunity to visit historic places in France and Belgium and to spend time with others who are interested in exploring history and culture.”

Konstantina, 23 years old

Greece

“I expected a good trip, but the way everything was planned made it all the more special. Preparation turns good trips into great ones and in this case, it made it more vibrant than I thought it could be.”

Lubomir, 24 years old

Slovakia