Reshaping the Image of Democratic Revolutions 1989: European contemporary Perspectives and forgotten Lessons from the Past 1

Reshaping the Image of Democratic Revolutions 1989: European contemporary Perspectives and forgotten Lessons from the Past

Reshaping the Image of Democratic Revolutions 1989: European contemporary Perspectives and forgotten Lessons from the Past

 

The project “Reshaping the Image of Democratic Revolutions 1989: European contemporary Perspectives and forgotten Lessons from the Past” seeks to remind European citizens about the democratic revolutions 1989-1990 as a period of arduous struggles for pluralistic democracy and peaceful coexistence in Europe with the aim to strengthen the contemporary commitment of the European citizens to the preservation of democratic pluralism and democratic institutions. While fostering the transnational dialogue of European citizens about 1989 and its consequences, the project increases knowledge and awareness among the citizens about the similarities of European countries and thereby contributes to the strengthening of European identity. Furthermore, the project fosters a resilience against contemporary populist narratives based on the promise of a return to the allegedly “better past”.

Following the successful kick-off meeting and panel discussion “Democratic revolutions 1989 and contemporary Europe” hold in Zagreb in November 2019, the International Forum in Rijeka in May 2021 will offer the next opportunity to discuss the experiences of 1989 with citizens. A seminar for history teachers and educators will take place in Thessaloniki in September while the local presentations of the short film about 1989 and related didactic materials will take place in Zagreb, Vienna, Tartu, Aarhus, Podgorica, Bucharest, Thessaloniki and Warsaw during October and November 2021. The final presentation of the project and discussion of the project results with experts from the field of historic-civic education is foreseen to take place in February 2022 in Vienna.

The project is coordinated by Documenta and brings together the following European organizations and institutions: BLOCKFREI – Verein für Kultur und Kommunikation (Austria), Aarhus Universitet (Denmark), Tartu Ülikool (Estonia), United Societies of Balkans (Greece), Hipmont – Udruženje profesora istorije Crne Gore (Montenegro), European Network Remembrance and Solidarity (Poland) and Centrul Roman pentru Inovatie in Dezvoltare Locala (Romania).

 

The project is co-financed by the European Union through the program “Europe for Citizens”.