We have opened an exhibition that, through the eyes of young people, opens up important questions of memory, responsibility, the understanding of the past, and the prevention of forgetting.
The exhibition was created as part of an international project in which young participants from various countries researched sensitive and demanding topics of war crimes and dark chapters of European history. In Slovenia, the research segment was co-created by our own Uroš Dokl, Maja Pegan, Nika Vrbek, and the Youth Council of Slovenia, while young people also conducted research in other countries in collaboration with partner organizations.
The opening event was inaugurated with a speech by the Director of the National Liberation Museum Maribor, Simona Tripkovič, who emphasized the importance of preserving historical memory and the role of young people in understanding the past and shaping a more responsible future.
The event was also attended by the Vice-Mayor of the City Municipality of Maribor, Ms. Davorka Pregl, Louis Mourier from the German Embassy in Ljubljana, and students from the First Grammar School Maribor (Prva gimnazija Maribor), whose presence further emphasized the importance of involving young people in reflections on history, society, and individual responsibility.
A special touch to the opening was given by Uroš Dokl and Domen Kodrič, who accompanied the event with an extraordinary musical performance on traditional Slovenian instruments. Their performance created a special atmosphere and connected visitors with the heritage, memory, and narratives that the exhibition brings to light.
Foto: M. Pigac.
The exhibition addresses various historical chapters, including the commemoration of Srebrenica, the tragic events in Hungary, the Camp des Milles concentration camp, the Nuremberg trials, deportations from Poland, and the fates and lives of resistance fighters. In addition to the visual exhibition, the young participants prepared a series of podcasts in which they reflected on their thoughts, feelings, and insights regarding these dark chapters of history.
The goal of the project is not only to preserve memory but also to actively prevent forgetting, encourage critical thinking, and strengthen the awareness that understanding the past is an important step in building a better future.
We invite you to view the exhibition at the National Liberation Museum Maribor and listen to the voices of young people looking into the past to help co-create a more responsible tomorrow.
Project partners:
@Obrazovanje gradi BiH – Jovan Divjak/Education builds B&H – Jovan Divjak
@Kolegium Europy Wschodniej
@MSS – Mladinski svet Slovenije
@Les Francas
@Volksbund Deutsche Kriegsgräberfürsorge e. V.