We are pleased to announce the results of the recruitment process for the upcoming edition of Freedom of Speech Beyond Borders, an interdisciplinary educational project exploring the history of anti-censorship movements during the Cold War and reflecting on contemporary challenges to freedom of expression.
The call for applications attracted a diverse group of motivated young people from across Europe, all showing a deep engagement with historical research, human rights issues, and the creative exploration of archival materials. We sincerely thank everyone who applied for their enthusiasm, insight, and dedication to the project’s goals.
After a competitive selection process, we are happy to share the names of participants who have been selected for the study visits. (All selected participants have already been contacted via email.)
Study Visit to Bremen (Germany):
• Jess Y.
• Yuliia K.
• Ioana Miruna M.
• Karolina C.
• Charlotte L.
• Gvantsa N.
• Yoana G.
• Maciej B.
• Anastasiya K.
• Lili K.
• Artsiom K.
Study Visit to Prague (Czech Republic):
• Villem S.
• Darya P.
• Zaira Z.
• Svitlana D.
• Anna Š.
• Sadie L.
• Ingrid G.
• Sára K.
• Szymon S.
• Gabriel B. O.
• Réka Dorottya S.
From 1–10 September 2025, selected participants will take part in research trips to key Cold War archives – the Research Centre for East European Studies at the University of Bremen, and the Libri Prohibiti Library and the Václav Havel Library in Prague. Following these visits, both groups will convene in Maisons-Laffitte, near Paris, to work in the archives of the Literary Institute – a major centre for Polish émigré publishing.
The programme begins with an online seminar session that will equip participants with historical context and prepare them for the research phase. On site, they will engage in archival work, conduct interviews with former dissidents and human rights activists, and participate in creative workshops. These include zine-making, journaling, and visual storytelling, culminating in the creation of a collective, samizdat-inspired journal that documents their research and personal reflections.
The project is co-financed by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage of Poland within the framework of the Inspiring Culture Programme.