Emerald Johnson

Europe Remembers continues: From the Battle of the Scheldt to the Battle of the Bulge and beyond 

Posted on by Emerald Johnson

In 2024, the LRE Foundation’s collaborative campaign Europe Remembers continued its mission to highlight key moments of World War II history by participating in commemorative events across Europe. The last months of 2024 focused on two critical campaigns: the Battle of the Scheldt and the Battle of the Bulge. 

Commemorating the Battle of the Scheldt in Zeeland 

In October, Europe Remembers, in collaboration with ‘Zeeland Herinnert’, visited Zeeland to attend ceremonies honoring the lesser-known Battle of the Scheldt, an important operation that secured Allied access to the port of Antwerp. Events in Westkapelle and Vlissingen remembered this campaign, which played an important role in liberating the Netherlands. Several other events were organised by the region to mark this anniversary including a ceremony and the Mallard March in Sloedam. Through these ceremonies, attendees reflected on the challenges and loss of those who fought in this intense battle and those civilians that went through hardship during that time. 

Marking the 80th Anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge 

In December, the Europe Remembers team traveled to the Ardennes to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge, one of the largest and most significant battles on the Western Front. Organized in collaboration with the Bastogne Memorial WWII Reference Center and the ‘Maison du Tourisme Cœur de l’Ardenne’, the visit included stops at key historical sites such as the Manhay History 44 Museum, Jack’s Wood, Peace Woods, the Bastogne War Musuem and the German War Cemetery in Recogne. As part of the program, the team conducted interviews with Matthieu Billa, Director of the Bastogne War Museum; Bob Konings, an experienced local tour guide; and Clayton Christensen, a U.S. veteran who shared firsthand accounts of the battle. These conversations provided invaluable personal perspectives, enriching the understanding of the region’s history. Additional interviews are planned and will be released to ensure the stories of the Battle of the Bulge are preserved for future generations.  The trip also featured visits to the Bastogne Barracks and participation in the Nuts Weekend, a series of commemorative events including conferences, ceremonies, live music, and opportunities to engage with veterans. 

Through these commemorations, Europe Remembers continues to honor the people and events that shaped the course of history, fostering connections between the past and the present for future generations. The month of January will be dedicated to the International Holocaust Remembrance Day and to honoring the memory and stories of the many millions of people persecuted by the Nazi regime. 

If you would like to learn more about the campaign visit the website and follow us on Instagram and Facebook!

LRE Foundation’s UK branch partners with University of Portsmouth, Hampshire 

Posted on by Emerald Johnson

LRE UK is excited to announce its newest partner, the University of Portsmouth. After several years of positive cooperations with the university, we are pleased to make this partnership official and look forward to continuing and expanding our work with them. As part of this cooperation, under coordination of Dr Rob James, Senior lecturer in Cultural and Social History at University of Portsmouth, and Ben Mayne, Director of LRE UK, University of Portsmouth students now can elect to work with the Foundation’s UK branch as part of their studies. This involves students researching and creating historical content to design new Themed Routes for the LRE network. Within this they can focus on their personal interests in the topic to develop routes on a variety of themes. 

This cooperation provides students with valuable experience in the cultural heritage and remembrance tourism sector, offering them an opportunity to foster their research and writing skills whilst contributing to an international project. This knowledge and information offers valuable additions to the ever-expanding LRE hiking & cycling trails network. It simultaneously supports the Foundation’s mission of raising awareness about Second World War history and its varied perspectives and experiences, and engaging young people in this process. 

“This is a great opportunity for young adults to gain many skills in different areas and contribute towards a European project that grows from strength to strength. […] it’s important that we give the future generations the opportunities to participate and work to continue the remembrance.” Says Ben Mayne, LRE UK Director.

In February 2024, the first students to choose to work with LRE UK as part of their studies began working on a Themed Route. Tailored to their own interests, students Sadie White and Francesa Raine explored the reality of the war in Portsmouth from a citizen’s perspective. They researched and presented stories of a war-scarred city, and the sense of community that arose between citizens and military troops. Working with Ben Mayne, the students selected, researched and created items of historical content to create the walking route ‘Community in War-scarred Portsmouth’. This will be available soon on the LRE website. 

‘Formalising the University’s partnership with LRE Foundation is a really important development and cements the relationship we’ve had with the organisation over recent years. The partnership will provide students with the opportunity to work on a variety of important heritage projects, and these will not only help to build the students’ knowledge and skills but will also help to ensure that this important period in world history will continue to be remembered and commemorated.’ Says Dr Rob James, Senior lecturer in Cultural and Social History at University of Portsmouth. 

After this positive start to the partnership, we are looking forward to future cooperation and projects with the University of Portsmouth! 

LRE Foundation enhances visibility at key networking events across Europe 

Posted on by Emerald Johnson

As the LRE Foundation continues its mission to expand the Liberation Route Europe project, our team recently took part in several major European networking events, strengthening connections with the Travel Trade industry and promoting our LRE hiking and cycling trails. 

CycleSummit – Bern, Switzerland 

From 12 to 15 October, Project Officer Emme Johnson attended the CycleSummit in Bern, Switzerland. The largest European trade show for bicycle touring, over 100 organisations attended this year’s summit. The event offered a prime opportunity to showcase LRE’s hiking and cycling trails to tour operators from throughout Europe and beyond who specialise in bicycle tourism. Emme’s participation helped increase awareness of the Liberation Route Europe trails among key players in the sector, to encourage the inclusion of our many sites, stories and routes into cycling and hiking tourism itineraries across Europe. 

Global European Marketplace – London, UK 

On 31 October and 1 November, Project Officer Emme Johnson and Press and Communication Advisor Gert-Jan Jacobs represented the LRE Foundation at the Global European Marketplace in London, the premier annual travel trade event of the European Tourism Association (ETOA). This dynamic gathering brought together over 800 industry professionals for a day and a half filled with networking and insights into the latest tourism trends. Emme and Gert-Jan connected with more than 20 international tour operators, spotlighting the Liberation Route Europe project and its unique historical and touristic significance. Their efforts helped open doors for potential partnerships that aim to inspire global audiences to explore the powerful stories and sites along the route. 

Interreg NWE Annual Event – Dublin, Ireland 

On 5 and 6 November, LRE Foundation Managing Director Rémi Praud and Project Officer Emme Johnson attended the Interreg North-West Europe (NWE) Annual Event in Dublin. As beneficiaries of the Interreg NWE EU funding programme, LRE Foundation was among a diverse group of project applicants, EU representatives, and decision-makers. The event was an invaluable opportunity to showcase both the ongoing REFOOT project and the Liberation Route Europe Trails, while networking with potential collaborators to support our efforts in making WWII history accessible through sustainable tourism. 

Looking forward to 2025, the LRE Foundation is preparing for the LREXPO at the upcoming LRE Forum, scheduled for 10 to 13 March 2025, in Krakow, Poland. This event will provide a valuable platform for our members and partners to connect with representatives from the travel trade industry, including European and North American tour operators, through dedicated networking sessions and FAM trips. We’re excited to strengthen these relationships and expand the reach of the Liberation Route Europe project. More details about the Forum will be shared in the coming weeks. 

For more information about the Forum, click here. 

Europe Remembers: from D-Day to Operation Market Garden 

Posted on by Emerald Johnson

Recent months have been eventful for our team as we commemorated the 80th anniversary of significant World War II milestones, including the Normandy landings and Operation Market Garden. Our team travelled to Normandy and the Netherlands to attend the commemorative events organised on this occasion and cover them for a wider audience. This work was part of our Europe Remembers campaign – a collaborative project aimed at raising awareness about the final years of the war and preserving stories about their witnesses. 

In June, we travelled to Normandy to cover the commemorations of D-Day. From 5th to 7th June, we participated in several events, visited historical sites, and interviewed veterans and attendees. Key moments included the ceremony at Pegasus Bridge and visits to the British Memorial in Ver-sur-Mer and Pointe du Hoc. We also interviewed veterans such as Mervyn Kersh, who shared their valuable stories with the Europe Remembers audience. 

This September, we travelled to the Netherlands for the 80th anniversary of Operation Market Garden, one of the largest airborne assaults in history, which took place between 17th and 25th September 1944. Although it did not fully achieve its objectives of liberating the Netherlands from German occupation, the Allies succeeded in freeing several towns and many Dutch provinces still remember and celebrate such effort toward their liberation. 

Between 13th and 18th September, we visited various historical sites and participated in many commemorative events. These included Mesch, in Limburg (where we attended the 80 Years of Freedom opening ceremony), Arnhem (where we attended the ceremony at John Frost Bridge), Ginkel Heath (where we saw a re-enactment of the parachute landings), and Nijmegen (where we attended the Waal Crossing re-enactment, commemorating the US soldiers who crossed the river in small boats, and the impressive and warmly participated Sunset March XXL). 

Throughout this campaign, our Europe Remembers team focused on capturing and sharing personal stories and the lasting impact of Operation Market Garden. We were privileged to interview WWII veterans such as Jack Einstein and Dominic Citelli (who also played on his soprano saxophone for us). 

The content we created, including reels and live updates, was shared across social media platforms allowing a wider audience to learn about these events even without leaving their homes. You can view all the materials we created to this date on our website and social media pages (Facebook & Instagram).  

We are grateful to everyone who made this possible, especially our key partners in Region Normandy, Normandy Tourism, Provincie Gelderland, Provincie Noord-Brabant, Visit Brabant, Brabant Herinnert, Provincie Zeeland and vfonds. 

As we reflect on our journey, we are now looking at the 80th anniversary of other milestones such as the Battle of the Scheldt in Zeeland, the Battle of the Bulge, the International Holocaust Memorial Day in January, among others, until the commemorations marking the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in May 2025.

Discovering the stories behind the Stolpersteines in Jersey 

Posted on by Emerald Johnson

On 25 and 26 July 2024, members in Jersey installed 20 ‘Stolpersteine’ (Stumbling Stones) around the Island with the help of the stones’ creator, Gunter Demnig. A further 15 were laid in Guernsey on Friday 26 July 2024. Stolpersteine are small concrete cubes with a brass plate inscribed with the names and details of persecution, imprisonment or deportation of victims and survivors of Nazi oppression during the Second World War.  

The Channel Islands, which include the islands of Jersey and Guernsey, were the only British territory occupied during the war. German forces occupied the Islands from 30 June 1940 until liberation on 9 May 1945. During the Occupation, parts of the Islands were heavily fortified as part of Hitler’s Atlantic Wall. These fortifications were built by around 6,000 forced and slave workers, some of whom died during construction. A Liberation Route Europe Themed Route ‘Forced Workers in Jersey’ was created in 2023 in cooperation with our members on the Island. 

While a monument in Jersey commemorates the ‘Jersey 21’ who never returned from German prisons and camps, the Stolpersteine have instead been dedicated to others, most of whom survived, with only two exceptions. The 20 Stolpersteine installed hold the names of people of Jersey who were persecuted or went into hiding for their Jewish origins, those who were convicted of acts of resistance, defiance or attempted escape, and individuals who were sent to the Channel Island of Alderney as conscripted workers or interned in Germany for having been born in Britain. 

An investigation into the labour camps in Alderney during the Occupation has recently been concluded. An exhibition about this, ‘Alderney: The Holocaust on British Soil’, is on display in the Occupation Tapestry Gallery at the Maritime Museum, Jersey until September 2025. 

The ceremony to install the Stolpersteine that commemorate the individual struggles during the Occupation took place in front of the home of Gordon Prigent, who himself was sent to Alderney as a conscripted worker for refusing to work under German rule. German creator of the Stolpersteine, Gunter Demnig, was present alongside his wife and people of Jersey. During the installations, the biography of each person for whom a Stolpersteine was placed was read aloud at its location, often by one of the Island’s 12 Constables. Representatives from Jersey’s Jewish congregation were present at each location. 

To further commemorate the incredible stories and people honoured by these Stolpersteine, we are working with our Jersey members to create a Themed Route. By connecting the stones in a trail we will enable visitors to follow in the footsteps of history, exploring Jersey as they discover its important past. Stay tuned for the new LRE Themed Route!

Europe Remembers: Covering the 80th Anniversary of D-Day 

Posted on by Emerald Johnson

Europe Remembers is an initiative by the LRE Foundation that forms a large-scale awareness campaign commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. From June 5th to 7th, our Europe Remembers team travelled to Normandy to celebrate the historic 80th anniversary of D-Day. During this time, we participated in multiple commemorative events, visited historical sites, and conducted interviews with veterans and participants. 

The Europe Remembers crew began their coverage on June 5th by attending the Pegasus Bridge Ceremony. This key commemoration paid homage to the British soldiers who carried out the first mission of the landings. The Europe Remembers team also visited and covered other significant places, including the German Cemetery in La Cambe, the British Memorial in Ver-sur-Mer, and Pointe du Hoc. Additionally, they attended the Thanksgiving Service in the majestic Bayeux Cathedral organised by the town and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. During that day, the crew also interviewed veterans such as Mervyn Kersh who shared their invaluable experiences with us. 

In the evening, the Europe Remembers participated in a ceremony at the Canadian Cemetery, where a unique installation of candles was placed on each grave to honour the Commonwealth soldiers who fought and died on D-Day. 

On June 6th, Europe Remembers attended the British Ceremony in Ranville, the first village to be liberated by the Allied forces during the Battle of Normandy. The presence of veterans, school children and dignitaries underscored the importance of remembering and honouring these historic moments. Later that day, the team visited Arromanches, known for the artificial Mulberry Harbor used during the landings. The town was full of visitors who came together to commemorate and celebrate the anniversary. 

In addition to the official ceremonies, the team visited several key museums, including the Juno Beach Centre, the D-Day Museum in Arromanches, the Utah Beach Museum and the Airborne Museum of Sainte-Mère-Eglise. 

“The Europe Remembers trip to Normandy for the 80th anniversary of D-Day was an interesting occasion for remembrance and education”, says Rémi Praud, Managing Director of the LRE Foundation. “By participating in ceremonies, visiting historic sites, and engaging with veterans, the Europe Remembers team has created engaging content that we hope will get more and more people involved in the 80 years commemorations.” 

As we reflect on our trip to Normandy, we look forward to next fall when we will join our partners in The Netherlands—Brabant, Zeeland, and Gelderland—to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Operation Market Garden and the Battle of the Scheldt. 

Visit our Europe Remembers website to watch some of the videos created in Normandy and learn more about our efforts to raise awareness about the Second World War!

Celebrating 10 Years of Liberation Route Europe in Arromanches-les-Bains 

Posted on by Emerald Johnson

Liberation Route Europe, one of the LRE Foundation’s key projects is among the leading cultural itineraries in Europe. Launched in 2014 the project has just turned 10. On the 7th of June, the LRE Foundation team travelled to Arromanches-les-Bains to celebrate this milestone with the network and partners.

The anniversary event commenced with a Liberation Walk on Friday, June 7th, where participants gathered at the Esplanade in front of the D-Day Museum and started a guided historic walking tour through Arromanches.  

Following the walk, the “10 Years of Liberation Route Europe” ceremony unfolded at the Remembrance Garden. Opening remarks were delivered by Rémi Praud, Managing Director of LREF, followed by speeches from Nathalie Porte, Vice-President of Normandy region overseeing tourism, and Marcel Bastide, Mayor of Arromanches-les-Bains.  

Rémi Praud delved into the key milestones of LRE’s decade-long journey, while Madeleine Lebranchu, Vice President of FFRandonnée, announced a new collaboration agreement with the LRE Foundation during her speech, signed up immediately after the ceremony. 

The event featured the handover of three Vectors of Memory to the three speakers, culminating with closing remarks from Rémi Praud. Additionally, attendees had the privilege of hearing D-Day Veteran Mervyn Kersh’s reflections, interviewed by Ben Mayne, LRE UK Director.  As a sign of gratitude for Mr. Kersh’s continuous support of the LRE activities, he also received a Vector of Memory.  

Reflecting on the milestone, Rémi Praud says: “As I am looking back at the ten years of the existence of LRE, I feel a great sense of pride in what we have achieved. I am confident that together we will achieve even more in the future. I am extremely thankful to all our members, partners and funders, as well as team members who contributed to our work during the past decade.” 

As the journey of Liberation Route Europe enters its second decade, the LRE Foundation remains committed to fostering new ways to experience and connect remembrance sites, history and personal stories throughout the European landscape.   

For more information on the project and the hiking trails have a look at www.liberationroute.com

LRE Foundation’s branch in the UK welcomes two new partners in East Anglia

Posted on by Emerald Johnson

As the LRE UK branch continues to grow, we are pleased to announce two new partners, Parham Airfield and Bawdsey Radar Trust, located in East Anglia, one of the focus areas of LRE UK. Building on the Masters of the Air inspired Themed Route launched in January, work continues to bring this beautiful, historically significant area into the LRE network. 

Parham Airfield Museum opened in 1981 as a memorial to the 743 young airmen, mainly of the 390th Bomb Group (Heavy) United States Army Air Force (USAAF), who were based at Station 153 Framlingham between 1943 and 1945. The centre also houses the Museum of the British Resistance Organisation, dedicated to the men and women of the Auxiliary Units who were trained in underground resistance in case of invasion and occupation. The museum houses extensive collections of artefacts, archives and memorabilia relating mainly to the air war over Europe and the Resistance Organisation. 

The museum will soon commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day, in which the 390th Bomb Group took part, flying three missions on 6 June. Additionally, several thousand auxiliaries joined the Special Air Service, with many sent to France for sabotage operations behind German lines. The museum maintains strong links with the families of US veterans and members of the secret resistance forces. 

“We are proud to become part of LRE, which matches our mission to show visitors how an earlier generation were prepared to give their all to defend freedom. All is quiet on the old airfield now and dozens of B17s no longer lift off the runways, but we will not forget... [LRE] is great to become part of a movement that seeks to encourage visits to our site in a sustainable way.” – Peter Senior, Chair of Trustees at Parham Airfield Museum. 

The Bawdsey Radar Trust focuses on preserving the history of radar technology and was founded in 2003 as the Bawdsey Radar Group, following a high turnout of 950 visitors to the newly opened transmitter block in July 2003. The museum stands on the site of the world’s first fully operational radar station. This station marked the beginning of the construction of a chain of radar stations all along the coast, designed as an early warning system to protect Britain during World War Two. The Bawdsey Radar Museum tells the story of radar from its beginnings to modern times and is situated adjacent to the Suffolk Coast Path. This sixty-mile trail from historic Landguard Point in Felixstowe to Lowestoft is a path which passes along the length of Suffolk’s beautiful Heritage Coast” 

“The Bawdsey Radar Trust is delighted to commence its cooperation with the LRE Foundation in extending its memorial trail connecting WWII remembrance sites and stories across Europe.” – Peter Wain, Bawdsey Radar Trust Trustee. 

SAVE THE DATE | The LRE Forum 2025 will take place in Krakow, Poland, from 10-13 March

Posted on by Emerald Johnson

After the successful LRE Forum 2024 in Aachen, Germany, we are thrilled to announce the upcoming LRE Forum 2025, jointly organised by the LRE Foundation and LRE Poland, to be held in Krakow, Poland, from 10 to 13 March. The city’s historical significance, particularly during the Second World War, makes it an especially interesting location for the annual gathering of the LRE Foundation. 

Each year, the LRE Forum serves as a platform for the Foundation’s members and partners, as well as tourism stakeholders from across the globe, to engage in various activities aimed at sharing innovative ideas and best practices. It provides a unique opportunity for participants to learn, network, and foster new collaborations. This year marks the 9th edition of the LRE Forum, initiated in Brussels back in 2017. Since then, it has grown in terms of participation and is increasingly becoming a central networking event within the World War II heritage sector.

Starting on Monday, 10 March, the LRE Forum 2025 promises a diverse agenda of lectures, panel discussions, and interactive sessions, providing attendees with insights into the best practices and opportunities within the remembrance sector. As with previous editions, the participants will have many opportunities to connect with fellow LRE Foundation members. However, networking and idea exchange will take on an even more important role this time, with multiple networking sessions planned to encourage connections and collaboration across the network.

In addition, the LRE Forum will facilitate networking with travel industry stakeholders during the annual LREXPO (12 March) and offer site visits to significant local museums, and memorials. To further enrich the experience of our participants during their time in Poland we are also organising a guided tour of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum.

Save the date for the LRE Forum 2025 in Krakow, Poland, and get ready to exchange innovative ideas and best practices with the network! Stay tuned to our website and social media accounts (LinkedIn and X) for further details and updates.

Follow us on social media

Receive our newsletter

SIGN UP

LRE branch organisations

LRE Foundation​

LRE Italy​

LRE France​

LRE Germany

Privacy Policy