Grandparents. Grand stories.

Grandparents. Grand Stories.

The Closest Stories from World War II

The contest ‘Grandparents. Grand Stories. The Closest Stories from World War II’, organised by the European Network Remembrance and Solidarity, marked the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. Aimed especially at elementary and secondary school pupils, university students, and educators, the initiative invited participants to explore the personal and local dimensions of wartime history—often through family stories and firsthand accounts from witnesses.
The contest concluded in March 2025, and the winners have now been announced. Through their submissions, participants helped preserve the fading memories of a crucial era, strengthening intergenerational dialogue and encouraging a deeper connection to the past.

We thank everyone who took part and shared their stories, helping to keep history alive for future generations.

About the contest

The international competition ‘Grandparents. Grand Stories.’, invited participants to explore personal and family histories connected to the Second World War. Entrants could submit their work in one of four categories:

Written Work – including personal memories, interviews, or descriptions of family memorabilia;
Photography / Visual Arts – images capturing objects, places, or portraits related to WWII heritage;
Audiovisual Material – such as films, animations, or recorded stories;
Lesson Scenario – a 45-minute educational plan focused on local or family history during the war.

Submissions were accepted until 15 March 2025.

Winners by Category

On 30 April 2025, we announced the winners of the contest. With 104 submissions from around the world, the jury was moved by the emotional depth and diversity of the entries, making the final selection both meaningful and challenging.

Photography / Visual Arts
Franziska Niehoff (Germany) – “Our Family Story in World War 2”
Awarded for uncovering a hidden detail in her own environment and sharing how it reshaped her perspective.

Audiovisual
Lidia and Jakub Szymański (Poland) – “Grandparents. Grand Stories”
Celebrated for a touching, visually rich film that bridges generations through storytelling.

Written Work
Marcel Krueger (Germany) – “My Grandmother's Rosary”
Honoured for a powerful narrative weaving personal memory with historical insight.

Lesson Scenario
Márta Szabó (Hungary) – “Grandparents. Grand Stories”
Recognised for a thoughtful, adaptable lesson plan encouraging students to connect classroom learning with family heritage.

Each first-place winner receives €1,000, with their work featured on the ENRS website and social media platforms.

Honourable Mentions
Given the outstanding quality of entries, the jury also awarded Honourable Mentions to several contributors across all categories.
Click here to see the whole list.