cover image of Grandparents. Grand stories. project

    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.
     

    Audiovisual Works

    Written Works & Lesson Scenarios

    cover image of My Grandmothers Rosary
    Marcel Krueger

    My Grandmother's Rosary

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    cover image of The Impact of World War II on My Family History
    Márta Szabó

    The Impact of World War II on My Family History

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    cover image of Lesson Scenario: The Green Dress
    Anna Chomiak

    Lesson Scenario: The Green Dress

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    cover image of Small Stories about Big Events
    Vesna Kostić

    Small Stories about Big Events

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    cover image of People Who Survived the War – Stories of Survival, Loss, and Love in the Shadow of a Difficult Fate.
    Justyna Pawlaczyk

    People Who Survived the War – Stories of Survival, Loss, and Love in the Shadow of a Difficult Fate.

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    cover image of Teaching World War History by Revealing Our School’s History
    Maria Vlachaki

    Teaching World War History by Revealing Our School’s History

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    cover image of The Palmiry Massacre and the Role of Historical Witnesses
    Emilia Straburzyńska

    The Palmiry Massacre and the Role of Historical Witnesses

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    cover image of Escape Room Prisoners and Victims of the German Occupation
    Marta Smoleń

    Escape Room "Prisoners and Victims of the German Occupation"

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    cover image of Story Cubes Based on Our Grandparent’s Memories
    Małgorzata Paderewska

    Story Cubes Based on Our Grandparent’s Memories

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    cover image of The City and the War
    Dana Kušnírová

    The City and the War

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    cover image of Olsztyn - Local Stories from World War II
    Izabela Kucka

    Olsztyn - Local Stories from World War II

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    cover image of The Fate of the Possert Family and the Volksdeutsche in Djakovo and Slavonia During and  Immediately After World War II
    Ines Jančula

    The Fate of the Possert Family and the Volksdeutsche in Djakovo and Slavonia During and Immediately After World War II

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    cover image of The Second World War. The Home Front
    Mihaela Hendreș

    The Second World War. The Home Front

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    cover image of History and Citizenship in English Language
    Maria Rosaria De Paolis

    History and Citizenship in English Language

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    cover image of The History of the Picture That Connected Human Hearts
    Monika Bujak

    The History of the Picture That Connected Human Hearts

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    cover image of Maria Leligdowicz
    Jakub Wieczorek

    Maria Leligdowicz

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    cover image of Grandparents. Grand stories. The Nearest Stories from World War II
    Maja Więckowska

    Grandparents. Grand stories. The Nearest Stories from World War II

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    cover image of Survivor of War and Regime
    Nicolina Ursachi

    Survivor of War and Regime

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    cover image of Paths to Destiny: Niculaie Toader’s Incredible Story
    Teodora Toader

    Paths to Destiny: Niculaie Toader’s Incredible Story

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    cover image of A Life of Service and Honour
    Alexandra Țȋganaș

    A Life of Service and Honour

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    cover image of Encounter with a German Soldier
    Julia Skrobek

    Encounter with a German Soldier

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    cover image of The Life and Survival of the Family of the Master Confectioner Aloys Schulte in Hamm, North Rhine-Westphalia, during World War 2
    Sophie Schulte

    The Life and Survival of the Family of the Master Confectioner Aloys Schulte in Hamm, North Rhine-Westphalia, during World War 2

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    cover image of Józefa’s Letters – Extraction From Oblivion
    Michael Daniel Sagatis

    Józefa’s Letters – Extraction From Oblivion

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    cover image of When Life Turns into a Movie Script…
    Stefan Rareș

    When Life Turns into a Movie Script…

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    cover image of Grandparents. Grand Stories: My Great-Grandfather Alexander Ivanovich Manik
    Eliza Pirau

    Grandparents. Grand Stories: My Great-Grandfather Alexander Ivanovich Manik

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    cover image of Let the Lion Dwell in Your Hearts
    Michał Paluch

    Let the Lion Dwell in Your Hearts

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    cover image of The Heroism of My Great-Grandfather and the Battle of Qafa e Sqepurit
    Denian Palla

    The Heroism of My Great-Grandfather and the Battle of Qafa e Sqepurit

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    cover image of The Second World War in Sząbruk
    Izabela Marcinkiewicz

    The Second World War in Sząbruk

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    cover image of The War
    Tomasz Malatyński

    The War

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    cover image of Memories of World War II
    Maja Łatka

    Memories of World War II

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    cover image of Dr. Lin En-Kwei and His Sblings: A Taiwanese Family’s Journey from WW2 Colonial Era to Modern Taiwan
    Sang Ping Lin

    Dr. Lin En-Kwei and His Sblings: A Taiwanese Family’s Journey from WW2 Colonial Era to Modern Taiwan

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    cover image of Grandparents. Grand Stories: My Uncle,  Franciszek Kulawik
    Martyna Lech

    Grandparents. Grand Stories: My Uncle, Franciszek Kulawik

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    cover image of Memories in September
    Sonia Kolinski

    Memories in September

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    cover image of Grandparents. Grand Stories of my Family
    Mikołaj Klasik

    Grandparents. Grand Stories of my Family

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    cover image of Local Stories from World War II
    Klaudia Kąfera

    Local Stories from World War II

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    cover image of My Familys Story
    Jana Jauk

    My Family's Story

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    cover image of The Wartime Fate of my Great-Grandfather
    Miłosz Jaeschke

    The Wartime Fate of my Great-Grandfather

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    cover image of Manhood and Faith: the Story of my Grand-Grandfather
    Tudor Ionescu

    Manhood and Faith: the Story of my Grand-Grandfather

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    cover image of How Did the Russians Treat Romanians during the War
    Andreea Ilinca Iacob

    How Did the Russians Treat Romanians during the War

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    cover image of Childhood during the Second World War
    Victor Hendres

    Childhood during the Second World War

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    cover image of Rotaru Vasile Ion
    Ines Fuștei

    Rotaru Vasile Ion

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    cover image of Life on the Run
    Gershom C. Chua

    Life on the Run

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    cover image of Grandparents: Grand Stories
    Stephen Carragher

    Grandparents: Grand Stories

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    cover image of Surviving War, Embracing Freedom
    Amelia Buciuta

    Surviving War, Embracing Freedom

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    cover image of The Memory of Heroism and the Official Recognition of Sacrifice: from the Front of the Second World War to the Socialist Era
    Andreea-Denisa Borș

    The Memory of Heroism and the Official Recognition of Sacrifice: from the Front of the Second World War to the Socialist Era

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    cover image of Memoirs of Great-Grandparents Varvara and Emilian
    Codrin Constantin Bercea

    Memoirs of Great-Grandparents Varvara and Emilian

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    cover image of Trip to Grandfather Edoardo’s Places
    Pietro Bendazzoli

    Trip to Grandfather Edoardo’s Places

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    cover image of Grandparents, Grand Stories: A Story from World War II
    Jacopo Baldari

    Grandparents, Grand Stories: A Story from World War II

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    cover image of The Power of Hope
    Daniela Ardelean

    The Power of Hope

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    cover image of Our Grandparents and Their Great Stories
    Mihai Andreescu

    Our Grandparents and Their Great Stories

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    cover image of The No Name Partisan
    Dea Aliaj

    The No Name Partisan

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    cover image of My Family’s History
    Ana Agachi

    My Family’s History

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    cover image of Grandparents. Grand Stories: Olszowski Family
    Aleksandra Zobek

    Grandparents. Grand Stories: Olszowski Family

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    cover image of March to Kołobrzeg
    Lidia and Jakub Szymański

    March to Kołobrzeg

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    cover image of Komorád  and His Writings
    David Seltenreich

    Komorád and His Writings

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    cover image of The Experiences of Romanian Women in World War II: Family Dramas, Social Status and Adaptability
    Mălina-Maria Rîndașu

    The Experiences of Romanian Women in World War II: Family Dramas, Social Status and Adaptability

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    cover image of I Will Tell You about My Great-Grandfather, Roman Szymczak…
    Piotr Pietras

    I Will Tell You about My Great-Grandfather, Roman Szymczak…

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    cover image of The Stories of My Grandfather and Grandmother during World War II
    Ka-Chun Lin

    The Stories of My Grandfather and Grandmother during World War II

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    cover image of The Rescue from Behind the Dovecote
    Alexandru George Dinu

    The Rescue from Behind the Dovecote

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    cover image of Macoviciuc Sandu – A Life Marked by War and Captivity
    Teodora Ciulinaru

    Macoviciuc Sandu – A Life Marked by War and Captivity

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    cover image of Through a Child’s Eye: My Grandfather’s Memories of World War II
    Jessie and Günter Franken

    Through a Child’s Eye: My Grandfather’s Memories of World War II

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    cover image of My Grand-Grandmother Karolina Jabłońska
    Sebastian Jabłoński

    My Grand-Grandmother Karolina Jabłońska

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    cover image of My Great-Grandfather Tudorache Cozma
    Stefania Pohrib

    My Great-Grandfather Tudorache Cozma

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    cover image of Grandparents. Grand Stories: Stefan Dascalete
    Matei Moraru

    Grandparents. Grand Stories: Stefan Dascalete

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    cover image of Grandparents: Grand Stories. Vasile Filipoiu
    Stefan Enache

    Grandparents: Grand Stories. Vasile Filipoiu

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    cover image of H.A. Barson Wanted
    Sofia Di Filippo

    H.A. Barson Wanted

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    cover image of War Through the Eyes of Our Great-Grandmother
    Emil and Leon Superson

    War Through the Eyes of Our Great-Grandmother

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    cover image of The Story of Four Countries and One Fate
    Emilia Połońska

    The Story of Four Countries and One Fate

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    cover image of Shadows of War: Memories from a Stolen Childhood
    Andreea – Denisa Bolborici

    Shadows of War: Memories from a Stolen Childhood

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    cover image of Aftermath: Remote Connections
    Kashfia Dali

    Aftermath: Remote Connections

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    cover image of Slipping Through Our Fingers: My Familys Journey to Preserve Grandpa’s War Memories
    Patrycja Śliwa

    Slipping Through Our Fingers: My Family's Journey to Preserve Grandpa’s War Memories

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    cover image of Grandparents, Grand Stories: The Legacy of My Familys World War II Experiences
    Noemi Kovacs

    Grandparents, Grand Stories: The Legacy of My Family's World War II Experiences

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