The year 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII and the liberation of Europe—a moment when the full scale of Nazi crimes came to light. As Holocaust survivors' voices fade and far-right extremism rises across Europe, remembering this history has never been more urgent.
To reflect on these challenges, the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung Paris is organizing a study trip to Thuringia, Germany, for young and aspiring journalists. Participants will explore how we commemorate the past, what gets remembered (or forgotten), and the role of journalism in fighting historical disinformation.
Thuringia, shaped by dramatic historifcal shifts throughout the the 20th and 21st centuries, is a powerful case study. Once a Nazi stronghold, later part of the German Democratic Republic (GDR), and today deeply politically divided—with the far-right AfD winning 38.6% of the vote in 2025—it offers a unique lens through which to examine how memory is formed, preserved, and politicized.
Participants will engage with experts, visit key historical sites, and reflect on how journalism can contribute to keeping memory alive in an increasingly polarized society.
To apply, send your CV and a short motivation statement (max. 500 words, in English) to info@fr.boell.org, using the subject line: NAME_Thuringia.
For more information, visit the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung Paris website .
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