Start of the EXPLORE(R) project – Narratives of the past 01.05.2021.

We are announcing the beginning of a new project EXPLORE(R) – Narratives of the past funded by the EVZ Foundation (Erinnerung Verantwortung Zukunft), which as a logical sequel of the Jewish Osijek project deals with issues of questioning the past and remembering victims of National Socialism during the Independent State of Croatia (1941-1945) exploring and analyzing the mechanisms of development of totalitarian ideologies, rhetoric and hate speech then and today. Nowadays, it seems impossible to repeat a similar scenario and create a new totalitarian state, but the growing trend of nationalisms in European politics, which is happening in Croatia at the same time, calls for caution, for an analysis of the invisible borders of democratic societies. Therefore, it is important to identify and recognize the mechanisms that lead to the creation of a totalitarian society and to provide young people with appropriate education so that they can react and prevent the repeating of the history.

Through the project, in cooperation with the Cultural Center Osijek and the Generator Association, we will organize educational modules for high school and faculty students: critical thinking workshops, analysis and research of local history, methodology for studying the personal narratives of victims of oppression. We will conduct study visits to historical sites and a Week of Creative Workshops in which young people will have the opportunity to express themselves artistically and share through multiplier exhibitions acquired skills and knowledge for critical questioning and analysis of National Socialism and civic responsibility towards the multiethnic community in which they live.

The project is funded in the amount of 55,434.00 EUR, and lasts from 1 May 2021 to 31 August 2022.
The project was supported by the EVZ Foundation.