Why is it important to commemorate the history of the Second World War through theatre in your specific location? We asked our partners to consider the relevance of their local history in WWII remembrance, here’s what they had to say:

Rastislav Mojto from Post Bellum Slovakia, in Bratislava

“There are two main points I’d highlight. First, we face ongoing political attempts to rewrite history. Facts are being questioned, so it’s crucial to explain clearly what really happened. Second, from a practical perspective, we have a long tradition of bringing schoolchildren to the theatre. Performances are followed by discussions or explanatory sessions, which engage them directly. Because they are physically present, they can’t avoid the conversation — instead, they actively take part.”

Maris de Jong from Garage TDI in collaboration with Herinneringscentrum Kamp Westerbork, in Assen & Hooghalen

“Kamp Westerbork is a well-known name in the Netherlands, but when you visit the site, there is little left to see — just grass and a few information boards. What leaves an impression are the stories we share. The Remembrance Centre uses many methods: walking tours, videos, exhibitions — but theatre is especially powerful. It creates a direct impact on young audiences, helping the reality of history ‘click’ for them. We also like to highlight the relevance for them in their lives now, last year, we ended our performance with the phrase: ‘especially now.’”

Viola Kallós from Itt és Most Társulat, in Budapest

“The Holocaust affected a vast number of Hungarian Jews, who disappeared from the country, and the war also deeply marked the people of Budapest. In this project, we work with those who were alive during the Second World War. They can share firsthand stories of survival, showing how war impacts an entire society and how its effects still resonate. What feels especially urgent today is that we haven’t truly learned how to prevent such horrors. We can already see the transgenerational impact: younger generations, though not alive during the war, inherit the stress and trauma of their ancestors.”

Milena Sundari Nowak from The ACADEMY, in Berlin

“The Academy is located in Berlin, close to former centers of power during WWII. It’s important for young people to experience this context firsthand, so they can better understand how structures of power are created and sustained.”

Francesca Savini from Fondazione Teatro Ragazzi e Giovani, in Turin

“I think it’s vital to talk about WWII with young people. I’m always moved by their reactions, because these stories are new to them, while I grew up hearing them since childhood. Listening to their feelings and responses adds new layers to my own understanding of WWII each year. So, the process is not only for the youngsters — it enriches us as well.”

Evanthi Athanasiadi from Teatr Brama, Goleniów

“When the Polish inhabitants of Goleniów arrived after the war, they found a land left behind by Germans and sought to make it their own. But what was the deeper history of this place during WWII? In their search for a new identity, perhaps unconsciously, many Poles tried to hide the stories and culture of those who had lived here before. Today, after many decades, it is no longer taboo to uncover and acknowledge the different layers of our history.”

Hilde Tuinstra from Nationaal Holocaustmuseum in collaboration with Shift Happens, in Amsterdam

“Theatre allows us to bring the past to life so that young people can truly experience it. It invites them to ask themselves: What would I have done? What could I do? That process — of imagining their own response — is one of the most important things we can offer.”

Markéta Kultová from Post Bellum Czech Republic, in Prague

“I believe it’s essential to work with young people. Yet today, some organizations question the value of international cooperation, or even the importance of the EU and NATO. Alongside this, extremism is on the rise. Projects like this help build empathy by sharing the real stories of individuals. When young people encounter these personal histories, they discover values that can strengthen us all in the future.”

Simon Hebeltoft from Out Of Office, in Helsingør

“In this project, what matters most is that young people meet the elderly. Those encounters are deeply moving and unforgettable. Last year, the youngest participant I worked with was 12 or 13, quite young for such topics, but it made them ask: What role would I play? What if war came here? Some organisations tell me it’s hard to engage today’s youth, that they hesitate to take part. So perhaps the challenge in the coming months will be finding ways to help them dare.”

Nikolett Gabri from STOP-KLATKA, in Warsaw

“Warsaw was at the heart of WWII’s devastation; the 1944 Uprising, the near-total destruction of the city. After the war, Warsaw was rebuilt from ruins, and today the city embodies both tragedy and resilience. Theatre of Remembrance contributes to healing by allowing older citizens to collectively remember, process trauma, and transform grief into cultural experience. By turning the stories of seniors into performances, the project makes history tangible for the younger generation, ensuring it continues to educate, heal, and inspire.”