Why is a project like the Theatre of Remembrance important? We asked our partners in 9 different countries why it matters and what is the impact of working with youngsters and elderly to remember WWII through theatre? Here’s what they had to say. 

Thea della Valle, from Fondazione Teatro Ragazzi e Giovani, in Turin

 ‘’To make a link with our past, but managing to stay with what people feel, not only with information. To know the story and the history, but also to add a possibility to share what it was like to live in that time. To empathize. To find the same feelings, same thoughts, that youngsters have today, and to compare that with the stories of youngsters from during the war; to embody these kinds of stories.’’

Nikolett Gabri, from STOP-KLATKA, in Warsaw

‘’Theatre of Remembrance is also important regarding connecting the different generations. We also do some other intergenerational projects. We see the perceptions among the generations. This is a great opportunity to have the space and the time for all these different generations (elderly and youngsters) to go against these perceptions and see the person, who has their own memories and (life) story. These kinds of meetings can be very fruitful; it’s not just ‘okay, they are old people, and they don’t matter to us, or we can’t have a conversation with them because they are from another world.’ This aspect I would like to highlight.’’

Rachel Hameleers, The ACADEMY Bühnenkunstschule & Alte Feuerwache e.v., in Berlin

‘’In Germany there is such a feeling of guilt; sometimes people want to look away and ignore it. For me, this project is about being able to be still without being paralysed or silent. Can we find a performance, a piece of art, which enables us to be still but still also be alive? This is what I feel now will be our big challenge. And that it doesn’t become too holy, which often it does become. Also, there is a lot of anger, and I think there can be a power in that.’’

Markéta Kultová, from Post Bellum Czech Republic, in Prague 

‘’I think that for the youngsters it is obviously very important to experience history through the eyes of the people who remember it. But also try to experience it through creating a performance; that is a second layer. First hearing it, then experiencing it. And then the third layer is about showing it to other people again, by performing it.’’

Nina Pompošová, Post Bellum Slovakia, in Bratislava

‘’I think creating empathy and tolerance is the most important. And in general, it is very important to be open, and have an open heart for these topics. That goes for the youngsters, but it also goes for everybody, also the elderly people.’’

Evanthi Athanasiadi, from Stowarzyszenie Teatr Brama, in Goleniów

‘’I would like to quote one of our elderly people we interviewed for the Theatre of Remembrance project: „because if we forget about the past, our future is in danger.” – Pani Bronia from Goleniów.

Viola Kallós, from Itt és Most Társulat, in Budapest 

‘’Sometimes even youngsters are so overwhelmed by school and other demands. I think it’s important to step out of your daily life and routine for projects like these.’’