An important part of our “Non-Formal Methods LAB” training course was a meeting with Ms Barbara Szleszyńska-Malec – the protagonist of our Living History Lesson (23.07.2026).
Before the meeting, the participants watched a video documenting this particular lesson and learned about Ms Basia’s biography and the historical background of her family story. Then, without yet knowing the standard structure of a Living History Lesson, they independently prepared a lesson plan that they would like to implement.
During the meeting, we talked not only about the dramatic story of Ms Basia’s family, who were deported to Siberia during World War II, but also about the educational value of our method and what taking part in such an initiative looks like from the perspective of a senior who becomes the protagonist of a Living History Lesson. The participants asked many questions, turning the meeting into an extremely valuable and moving conversation. Afterwards, they received instructional materials showing them step by step how to prepare and conduct a Living History Lesson in their own local communities.
We would like to sincerely thank Ms Barbara Szleszyńska-Malec for agreeing to meet with the participants of our training course from Poland, Bulgaria, Estonia, Italy, Lithuania, Sint Maarten and Türkiye. We would also like to thank the Zamość Volunteer Centre Association for their cooperation, as Ms Basia is one of the seniors supported by the organisation. Thanks to meetings like this, history becomes much more than just a story – it becomes a personal experience that stays in our memory for a long time.
The training course was implemented within the framework of the Erasmus+ accreditation of the HEureka Generator Association.
Before the meeting, the participants watched a video documenting this particular lesson and learned about Ms Basia’s biography and the historical background of her family story. Then, without yet knowing the standard structure of a Living History Lesson, they independently prepared a lesson plan that they would like to implement.
During the meeting, we talked not only about the dramatic story of Ms Basia’s family, who were deported to Siberia during World War II, but also about the educational value of our method and what taking part in such an initiative looks like from the perspective of a senior who becomes the protagonist of a Living History Lesson. The participants asked many questions, turning the meeting into an extremely valuable and moving conversation. Afterwards, they received instructional materials showing them step by step how to prepare and conduct a Living History Lesson in their own local communities.
We would like to sincerely thank Ms Barbara Szleszyńska-Malec for agreeing to meet with the participants of our training course from Poland, Bulgaria, Estonia, Italy, Lithuania, Sint Maarten and Türkiye. We would also like to thank the Zamość Volunteer Centre Association for their cooperation, as Ms Basia is one of the seniors supported by the organisation. Thanks to meetings like this, history becomes much more than just a story – it becomes a personal experience that stays in our memory for a long time.
The training course was implemented within the framework of the Erasmus+ accreditation of the HEureka Generator Association.
