Museum faces permanent closure
Dear friends,
Museum Romagne 14-18 is the name of a small private museum in the north-east of France. It is dedicated to the soldiers who, more than a century ago, lived, fought and died in the Great War.
Many of you have paid a visit to the museum. The moving comments in our guestbook speak for themselves: a visit to Museum Romagne 14-18 touches the heart and leaves a lasting memory. Such is the experience of a visit that many of you have come back to relive the museum’s special ambiance. You have come back to see once more the countless war relics, the stained photographs, the preserved traces of the lives of ordinary soldiers. This special place of remembrance means something to you. You feel a connection. And now this beloved museum is in serious trouble. We are sorry to say that help is urgently needed. The Covid-19 pandemic affects us all, but it has hit the museum without mercy. No visitor’s means no income. The prospects are poor. The future is dark.
For more than thirty years Dutch born Frenchman Jean Paul de Vries has kept alive the memory of the Great War. For more than thirty years he has revived the stories and memories of the men who fought in it. His message is still the same as it was when he began his journey long time ago: War is a terrible thing. It involves human beings. You, me, all of us. If we have the power to begin a war, we also have the power to end it. To stop it. For once and for all.
Jean Paul shares his message of peace with all his visitors. But especially with the thousands of schoolchildren that come to his museum year after year. He guides them around, he takes them out to the former battlefields. He shows them the burial places of the soldiers on both sides, so often of their own age. Jean Paul guides, shows, teaches and tells. His message seems to be more important than ever.
But for how long will Jean Paul still be able to spread his message? How much longer will he be a guide, teacher and storyteller? Due to Covid-19 the future of Museum Romagne 14-18 is at stake. The clock is ticking. Let’s put things clear: without your help, the Museum Romagne 14-18 itself will soon be a memory. It will be place of remembrance with shut doors and forever muted voices. We cannot let that happen. The message of peace must continue to be spread, the lessons from the past continue to be learned.
Jean-Paul sharing his stories at another wonderful evening at Museum Romagne 14-18
Jean Paul shares his message of peace with all his visitors. But especially with the thousands of schoolchildren that come to his museum year after year. He guides them around, he takes them out to the former battlefields. He shows them the burial places of the soldiers on both sides, so often of their own age. Jean Paul guides, shows, teaches and tells. His message seems to be more important than ever.
But for how long will Jean Paul still be able to spread his message? How much longer will he be a guide, teacher and storyteller? Due to Covid-19 the future of Museum Romagne 14-18 is at stake. The clock is ticking. Let’s put things clear: without your help, the Museum Romagne 14-18 itself will soon be a memory. It will be place of remembrance with shut doors and forever muted voices. We cannot let that happen. The message of peace must continue to be spread, the lessons from the past continue to be learned.
Student land teachers listening to Jean-Pauls lectures about World War 1.
The good news: People from all over the world share the wish to guarantee Musée Romagne 14-18 a future after Covid-19. We are very grateful to learn that Romagne is not forgotten by many of those who have enjoyed a warm welcome in better days. Just to mention a few initiatives:
A very generous donation from De Waterlander Foundation makes it possible for Jean-Paul to maintain digital contact with his visitors from all over the world.
Recently Indy Neidell, an American-Swedish documentarian and YouTube personality - well known for presenting The Great War on The Great War Channel- paid attention to the alarming situation of Museum Romagne 14-18. With results: we have received donations from all around the globe, amongst them the United States, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, China and Russia.
It is needless to say how deeply grateful we are for this encouraging support. It helps! But sadly enough, the harsh reality learns that it is not enough to re-open the doors when spring arrives. The costs are ongoing, the income is nil. That is why we now appeal to everyone. The future of Museum Romagne 14-18 lies in your hands. Help us. Support us. Any contribution, large or small, is more than welcome.
More than a century ago millions of soldiers from all over the world answered the call. This is our call to keep their memory alive and secure the future of Museum Romagne 14-18 and Jean Paul’s message of peace. We sincerely hope that you will answer to that call.
Transfer your donation to via
IBAN NL15TRIO0254852718 in name of
Friends Museum Romagne.
or
press the DONATE button on our website www.friendsofromagne14-18.com
On behalf of Jean Paul de Vries I thank you in gratitude and friendship.
Board Friends of Romagne 14-18,
