On December 6, the EHU hosted the presentation of the project “Mapping the Co-Presence of Violence and Memory in Belarus.” The project was developed through a collaboration between Osnabrück University, the International Education Center Dortmund (IBB Dortmund), and EHU, with the support of the “Remembrance, Responsibility, and Future” Foundation.
The event showcased innovative digital tools designed as part of the project. One of the highlights was an interactive map of Minsk’s memorial sites, featuring virtual 360°-tours. Visitors could embark on a digital journey through historical locations, explore archival photographs, 3D artifacts, and monuments, and delve into historical context through expert commentary and textual explanations.
Another key feature was a digital exhibition hosted on the Omeka platform. Created by students and faculty from EHU’s «European Heritage» undergraduate program, the exhibition told the tragic story of the destruction of the Jewish community in Mogilev. This virtual presentation served as a powerful reminder of the deep scars left by the Holocaust in Belarus. It featured personal stories and historical accounts of people and places erased during the war.
Visitors also had the chance to explore a blog-based project on WordPress, which detailed the deportation of civilians near Azarychy in March 1944 – one of the most brutal Nazi crimes on the Eastern Front.
Participants highlighted the importance of preserving collective memory and presenting history through digital technologies. A third-year student from the “European Heritage” program shared her impressions:
“This project gave me the opportunity to critically examine themes of violence and memory, as well as explore how digital tools can make history more accessible and understandable for a wider audience. Working on virtual tours taught me how to present complex historical narratives in an engaging format while maintaining accuracy and authenticity. The interdisciplinary approach allowed me to apply theoretical knowledge in practice and deepen my understanding of memory studies and digital documentation.”
The presentation was complemented by a photo exhibition titled “Places and Memory”, curated by Siarhej Khareuski (Center for Belarusian and Regional Studies at EHU). The exhibition featured photographs taken during expeditions to Belarusian Jewish towns, visualizing the histories of communities affected by the Holocaust.
The exhibition served as an important addition to the digital projects, bringing to life places that are gradually disappearing along with their last witnesses. It emphasized that the memory of the Holocaust in Belarus remains an essential part of history that must be preserved and passed on to future generations.
