Time to exchange experiences and learn about the heritage of World War I with the GOV4PeaCE project. On days 28-30.01.2025 project partners participated in the transnational workshop in Slovakia organized by the Poloniny National Park (one of the project partners) which was combined with a project partner meeting, study visit and transnational conference.
We went out into the field to learn about the traces of the past and the historical heritage related to World War I and the turmoil of history on the Polish-Slovak border. We vsited and learnt about war cemeteries in Stakčín, Príslop and Topoľa, as well as the crypt with the remains of fallen soldiers in Osadné. Moreover, in Topoľa we also had the opportunity to explore a historic wooden church.
During the excursions, discussions focused on the importance of these sites not only from a historical point of view but also from cultural and regional perspectives. We learned how these sites are preserved and maintained; shared good examples from other countries; talked about involving local communities in taking care of World War I heritage and the possibility of creating cross-border tourist routes that connect these sites in the Slovak-Polish and Slovak-Ukrainian border regions. Such projects could help preserve the heritage and support sustainable tourism in the area.
In addition to visiting the region, we discussed issues related to project management, cooperation with stakeholders, planned future activities and analyzed heritage management models in other European countries.
The last day was focused on presenting the project to the general public and experts, as well as a panel discussion on the research, management, and presentation of World War I heritage. The discussion focused on several key topics regarding World War I heritage in northeastern Slovakia. Speakers talked about the historical context of the battlefield in the Poloniny National Park region and northeastern Slovakia, the number and condition of heritage sites, as well as the challenges related to their research and preservation. An important topic was also the relationship between these heritage sites and the surrounding landscape, as well as the local community’s connection to this heritage. Special attention was given to the possibilities for managing World War I heritage, discussing the roles of various institutions like the state administration, local governments, and the third sector. The discussion emphasized that cooperation between partners across Europe can significantly contribute to better heritage management. Successful examples from countries like Belgium, Italy, and Slovenia can serve as inspiration for Slovakia. Implementing these practices in the Slovak-Polish and Slovak-Ukrainian border regions, as well as in countries behind the frontline, could yield positive results. The panel discussion concluded the conference, stressing the need for more research, more effective management, and wider collaboration in preserving and presenting World War I heritage.
It is time to work out joint solutions.
Will you join us?