On 13-15 November 2024, Gorlice City (one of the project partners) organized in cooperation with the Institute of History of the Jagiellonian University in Krakow in Poland, an international meeting entitled “War Museums: The Legacy of World War I in the Museum Spaces of Europe”, which was one of the important steps in creating the concept of the European Museum of World War I in Gorlice.
The meeting brought together experts, museum workers and researchers from Poland, France, Belgium and Slovenia, who jointly discussed the legacy of World War I, its presence in museum spaces and the possibilities of using this heritage in sustainable local development.
During the debates, a number of important questions and issues were raised concerning museums, war narratives, and the integration of the heritage of World War I in closed and open spaces. Representatives of museums and institutions shared their experiences discussing the challenges related to organizing exhibitions and managing facilities. Key topics included important issues related to WW1 historic and tourist aspects such as: popularization of knowledge, accessibility of museums and the balance between the scientific approach and social engagement, challenges in organizing war narratives in museums, Integration of heritage inside and outside museums.
For better analysis of the WW1 heritage on Polish-Slovak borderland, the meeting was combined with the study visit on WW1 historic sites. It allowed participants to get familiarized with the artistic vision of the European Museum of World War I in Gorlice region, potential of historical landscapes as an integral part of telling the story of World War I.
More information and event gallery you can find HERE .