Eastern front from Poland to Czechia
Day 1
Our journey began in the afternoon in Kraków, where we gathered for a group introduction and an explanation of this week’s program. We met the LREF team and discovered content creation guidelines that will guide us during the week. This introduction gave us the opportunity to introduce ourselves to the city’s wartime experiences and post-liberation transformation so we could start our journey well informed.
Content from the Participants
Day 2
On the second day, we spent the day in Kraków, beginning with a guided tour of KL Plaszow, the former Nazi concentration camp. The visit was a powerful reminder of the atrocities committed during the war and the resilience of those who endured them.
After the tour, we had lunch and then visited the Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory, where we participated in a workshop dedicated to analysing the mechanisms of genocide from both historical and contemporary perspectives. The day concluded with time dedicated to content creation inspired by our experiences and new information learned.
Content from the Participants
Day 3
On day 3, we crossed into the Czech Republic, traveling by bus, reaching the Zámeček Memorial, the site of a former Nazi execution ground where nearly 200 people lost their lives resisting oppression during the Heydrich terror. In the evening, we arrived in Prague, ready to explore its rich history.
Day 4
In Prague, we explored the city’s WWII history through visits to important sites, learning about resistance, uprisings, and liberation. Our programme included a meeting with students from Charles University, during which the ARYP exchange programme was presented, and we shared our experiences from the project. After lunch, we were welcomed by Post Bellum to experience an experiential workshop, that challenged us to step into the shoes of people who faced difficult life and ethical choices during the war.
Content from the Participants
Day 5
Our final day in Prague began with a guided tour through some of the city’s most significant WWII sites starting with the Pečekův Palác, the former Gestapo headquarters, where we learned about the brutal occupation and resistance efforts during the war. Next, we visited Wenceslas Square, a key location for both historical events and everyday life during the war. We then explored the crypt under the church, where the heroes of Operation Anthropoid—who assassinated Reinhard Heydrich—found their final resting place. The tour continued to the Old Town Square, where we reflected on the city’s wartime experiences and the resilience of its people. After the tour, we finalized our content creation and gathered to conclude the exchange and say goodbye to one another.
Content from the Participants
