About the project

The project presents a transnational overview of the European history (1917-2017) – the cultural, demographic, technological and psycho-political changes in Europe and a reflection on the advantages of the democratic system compared to the totalitarian system.

The project tracks the transformation of the urban architecture and constitutes a series of photographs and digital educational reenactments that show the face of Central and Eastern Europe as a symbiosis between past and future, people and buildings, locally as well as universally.

Objectives:

  • To capture and recreate the specific and unique atmosphere of a number of cities through digital interpretation, reconstruction as well as a presentation of the archeological and historical sites and artifacts, dating from the period between the World Wars and their images today;
  • To visually portray long-lost historical traces (buildings and cities) in the period between 1917 – 1939, by comparing them with the contemporary urban environment – specifically their coexistence between the past and the present;
  • To encourage the study of historical heritage with a particular emphasis on socio-cultural interaction and the impact of the urban environment in the past and nowadays;
  • To acquire skills and competencies to devise a range of knowledge-transfer and public engagement activities.

Activities:

  • Meeting between the partners;
  • Research and analysis of materials, photos, history, videos and artifacts related to the urban environment in the period 1917-1939 and mapping (capturing the same sites in their contemporary appearance in photographs). Processing the materials;
  • Creating visual reconstructions of the sites and producing a common virtual product in the form of a map, including at least 100 objects/sites;
  • Conducting debates, discussions, presentations, and visits to the researched sites;
  • Organizing national and international virtual exhibitions;
  • Conducting an international conference “URBAN RECOVERY 17-17”;
  • Dissemination of the results and products.

Results:

In a broader context, with the project, we followed through the development of the European history (1917-2017) – cultural, demographic, technological and psycho-political changes in Europe and reflected on the advantages of the democratic system compared to the totalitarian system. By different methods and activities, we attempt to make a basic comparative study between three major forms of State government throughout the XX century – Democracy, Totalitarism and Autoritarism, highlighting the similarities and differences between them. 

Throughout the project, several activities were completed and the following results were achieved:

  • 2 international meetings between project teams (beginning and end).
  • exhaustive study of 100 objects and related historical events – gathering data, pictures and texts, meetings with experts and historians;
  • refinement and digitalization of the gathered materials and creation of virtual platform www.urbanrecovery.eu, showing the transformation of urban architecture by a series of photos and educational reenactments. The final product is a virtual tour that represents in fun and interactive way the 100 objects. Each object is represented by a visual reconstruction that shows its image before and now. Each object is described with short history;
  • educational activities – seminars, workshops, visits of historic places, completion for historical essay, exhibition, multimedia presentations;
  • information campaigns – dissemination of information flayers, brochures, CDs, website, publications, press-conferences, information days – public presentations of the project and its products;
  • international conference for presenting project results – studying the historical buildings and the stories related to them; local activities  – seminars, visits to historic places, information campaigns; presentation of the platform.

The originality of this project is that through the creation of the virtual historic-archeological guide, we strive to set up a transnational common view of the European history, taking into account its diversity, interpretations, and viewpoints. We gave an opportunity to a broader audience to understand recent history from the period 1917-1939 in the context of current events 2017 –  forming of systems, values, and ideologies. In this way, we managed to facilitate public debate on the historical past of Europe viewed through a contemporary point of view.

Project results and products could be utilized at any time by anyone worldwide (online character). Our virtual platform has been visited by above 11 000 people from different states. The digital nature of published information gives an opportunity for its editing and upgrade in line with the new developments in archeological and historical studies. 

The project gave opportunity to more than 600 direct, 800 indirect participants, 11000 vistors of virtual platform to learn for historic processes and events in the period between two world wars, viewed through urban architecture point of view. By the virtual platform www.urbanrecovery.eu we have created space for documentation and information, on the processes and events in broader historic and critical context that unites and compares the contrasting elements from urban environment before and now. The platform includes 100 historic places from 7 European states (BG,  RO, PL, DE, LV, HU, RS) with visualization and information about the objects and the related historic events.

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Action 1: Partners meeting
Action 2: Meeting with experts
Action 3: Digitization
Action 4: Educational activities
Action 5: Public activities
Action 6: Final Conference
Action 7: Dissemination