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  • Upcoming Workshop in Milan to Explore "Building Collective Memory: Models, Heroes, and Victims"

    Milan—On Monday, November 18, at 6:30 p.m., the Circolo De Amicis (Via De Amicis 17) will host an engaging workshop titled "Building Collective Memory: Models, Heroes, and Victims." This is the third event organized by the Movement for Respect of Cultural Rights and Duties, in collaboration with Enciclopedia delle Donne, an organization dedicated to studying and preserving women's contributions to culture and history.   The workshop is part of a larger initiative inspired by the European Commission–funded project CLEO—Cultural Memory in Europe. CLEO examines how the commemoration of historical events in Europe has evolved since World War II, shifting focus from celebrating heroic sacrifices to honouring the experiences of conflict and the memory of its victims. This project aims to highlight the transformation of European collective memory, particularly in light of rapid social change and the challenges in connecting the younger generation with historical narratives.   "Building Collective Memory: Models, Heroes, and Victims" will encourage attendees to explore questions of cultural memory and historical identity. With shifting cultural values and priorities, organizers see this as an essential moment to bridge generational gaps in historical perspective and create a shared sense of identity nationally and across Europe.

  • CLEO Newsletter #1

    CLEO Newsletter is now live. Click the front page here below here to read.

  • CLEO Course News - November 2024

    In a unique educational initiative, the CLEO project has brought together 43 students from the consortium partner countries for a transnational course on memory and commemoration in Europe. This course, offered in the fall of 2024, unites participants from diverse backgrounds to critically explore how Europe remembers its past, focusing on the ways in which different nations commemorate historical events. The course is offered as a collaborative effort by universities involved in the CLEO project across Europe. Through a combination of virtual lectures and group discussions, students examine a range of topics—from the memorialisation of wartime events to the public debates around statues and historical sites. With Europe’s complex history of conflicts and alliances, the course provides a unique forum for cross-cultural exchange, encouraging students to share their personal perspectives and national viewpoints on sensitive topics. The course culminates in a series of collaborative presentations, where students will propose creative ways to commemorate shared European experiences, using both physical and digital platforms. Their projects are designed to spark reflection on memory in the modern world.

  • Lecture: Professor Markus Meckl - Post-heroic dentity and victimhood.

    On September 3, 2024, Professor Markus Meckl gave a lecture to an audience of over 130 persons at the University of Akureyri, discussing post-heroic identity and victimhood.

  • CLEO Online Course - FALL 2024

    Embark on a journey through Europe's rich cultural tapestry!

  • 5th Partnership Meeting

    The 5th Partnership Meeting of the CLEO project was held in Milan, Italy, organized by Armes Progetti. Throughout the meeting, partners engaged in discussions regarding the forthcoming online course, meticulously reviewing and refining the syllabus and materials prepared for delivery in the upcoming academic year. Additionally, an ICT seminar, organized by the University of Akureyri, was attended by all partners. On the second day of the meeting, guided by Professor Emanuele Edallo of the University of Milan, the partners visited Binario 21, Casa delle Memoria. Binario 21, is a significant site for Holocaust remembrance in Milan managed by the Fondazione Memoriale della Shoah. Situated behind Milan's Central Station, below the platform level, Binario 21 once served as a loading point for mail cars but tragically became a hub for the deportation of thousands of Jews and political opponents to concentration and death camps such as Auschwitz–Birkenau, Mauthausen, and others, including deportation camps in Italy like Fossoli and Bolzano. Today, Binario 21 stands as a poignant memorial, inaugurated in 2013, and since 2022, it has housed the Centre for Contemporary Documentation. The memorial's interior comprises expansive rooms cloaked in the dark, providing visitors with a profound and emotive experience. It serves as a stark yet authentic portrayal of past events, offering invaluable insights and stirring emotions to the visitors. Casa della Memoria is an institute that belongs to the Culture Directorate of the Municipality of Milan and  its activities are planned by the municipal administration in agreement with the representatives of the hosted organization.  The Casa della Memoria is dedicated to the enduring values of freedom and democracy that form the bedrock of our civil society. It stands as a monument paying homage to those who valiantly fought against Nazi-fascism, as well as to the victims of terrorism and the atrocities of the latter half of the 20th century. Within its walls, the Institute hosts organizations such as ANED, AIVITER, ANPI, the Piazza Fontana 12 December 1969 Association, and the Istituto Nazionale Ferruccio Parri. These associations are dedicated to preserving, promoting, and disseminating the memory and study of the events pivotal to the establishment and defence of democracy, from its inception to the present day. The Garden of Righteous (Il Giardino dei Giusti): managed by the Association for the Garden of the Righteous of Milan, which is composed of the Gariwo Foundation, the Municipality of Milan and the Union of the Italian Jewish Communities during the visit to the Garden the partners were guided by Benedetta Macripò and Sabrina Di Carlo of the Gariwo Foundation. The mission of the Garden of Righteous is to promote the knowledge of the Righteous by educating individual responsibility which is useful for preventing genocides and crimes against Humanity. The Righteous are neither saints nor heroes: they are ordinary people who, at some point in their lives, when faced with injustice and persecution, were able to come to the aid of those suffering courageously, cutting off a chain of evil through an unexpected action and an assumption of responsibility.

  • Lectio Magistralis

    On April 5, 2024, On the occasion of the 5th Partnership meeting of the CLEO project, Professor Markus Meckl, Project Coordinator from the University of Akureyri in Iceland, was invited by Professor Giulia Lami of the University of Milan 'la Statale' to deliver a Lectio Magistralis on "Constructing Post-Heroic Memory: The Shifting Narratives of Our Past." The event delved into the theme of cultural memory in Europe, exploring the evolving perceptions of national heroes and the emergence of new global forms of memory in the 21st century. The hybrid event saw the participation of 21 attendees in person and 9 online. Among them were two Italian students who had previously taken part in the CLEO Summer University in Belgrade, along with project partners, local university students, and scholars.

  • Presentation to high school students in the Petnica Science Center in South Eastern Europe

    On the occasion of the Summer School of socio-humanistic science, organised in the research station Petnica between September 22-October 1, 2023 for high school students, Vukašin Zorić, a research assistant at the University of Belgrade (Faculty of Philosophy), gave a lecture on the topics of the CLEO project: heroisation and victimisation narrative matrices in 20th-century European nation-building and memory politics. Fifteen high-school students and four University-level students attended the lecture and were able to add another layer to their understanding of national identity and memory. Firstly, he introduced the students to the basic concepts of nationalism studies and the field's history. Later on, he talked about paradigmatic examples of heroisation and victimisation in European and Serbian mnemonic practices. Finally, the lecture concluded with a broad discussion with the students. Petnica Science Center (PSC) is the biggest independent organization for extracurricular, informal science education (http://petnica.rs/about-us/)

  • News from Greece

    On September 29, 2023, Katerina Papadimitriou, a PhD Candidate at the University of Patras and an invited student at CLEO Summer University, participated in the Chat Lab activity in the frame of Greek Researcher Night 2023. Katerina presented the CLEO project and her experience at the Summer University at Belgrade. As part of the Chat Lab, an action of the Researcher's Night, a first live presentation took place on Wednesday 27/09 with the High School of Skydra, during which the Cleo project was presented as well as the results of the Summer University held in Serbia September 10-16. A second Zoom meeting took place on Friday 29/09 with an English teacher of the prefecture of Attica, with which an extensive discussion took place about the Cleo project. https://researchersnight.gr/speaker/κατερίνα-παπαδημητρίου/ The European Researchers' Night is a Europe-wide public event, which displays the diversity of science and its impact on citizens' daily lives in fun, inspiring ways and brings research and researchers closer to the public while promoting excellent research projects across Europe and beyond.

  • Summer University

    The CLEO Summer University convened its eagerly awaited session from September 10 to September 17, 2023, in the picturesque city of Belgrade, Serbia. This captivating week-long event saw the enthusiastic participation of a diverse cohort of 30 students hailing from six different countries. These young minds came together to immerse themselves in a rich tapestry of lectures, engaging seminars, thought-provoking assignments, and enlightening site visits, all meticulously curated to delve into the nuanced themes of history and post-heroism within the dynamic framework of European contexts. The University of Belgrade, renowned for its academic excellence and historical significance, served as the organiser and gracious host of this intellectually stimulating gathering. As one of the oldest and most prestigious institutions in the region, the University of Belgrade provided the perfect backdrop for fostering cross-cultural dialogue and the exploration of complex historical narratives. Throughout the week, participants engaged in a rigorous academic program designed to challenge their perspectives and broaden their horizons. Distinguished scholars and experts from various disciplines led captivating lectures, sparking lively debates and discussions among the students. The seminars, meanwhile, provided an intimate setting for students to delve deeper into specific topics, encouraging critical thinking and the exchange of ideas. To complement their classroom experiences, attendees embarked on illuminating visits to historical sites and cultural landmarks in Belgrade and its surroundings. These excursions provided a tangible connection to the historical context under discussion, enabling students to witness first-hand the legacy of the past and its influence on contemporary European society. In addition to their academic pursuits, the participants had the unique opportunity to interact with their peers from different cultural backgrounds, forging lasting friendships and cross-border collaborations. The diverse composition of the student body enriched the experience, fostering a vibrant atmosphere of cross-cultural exchange and mutual learning. The CLEO Summer University in Belgrade, Serbia, not only offered an exceptional educational experience but also served as a testament to the power of international collaboration and academic exploration. As the event drew to a close on September 17, 2023, participants left with a deeper understanding of history and post-heroism in European contexts, as well as cherished memories of their time in the heart of Serbia's vibrant capital. This gathering reinforced the importance of fostering global connections and promoting a more profound appreciation for the complex tapestry of European history and culture.

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