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EducaBelchite
Published on 31 July 2020
Spain
Aragón
This is the good practice's implementation level. It can be national, regional or local.
About this good practice
Belchite, on the border between the republican state and the fascist forces, became the site of one of the bloodiest and most important battles of the Spanish Civil War. After the war, it was decided to keep the town in ruins as a symbol of the war and a new one was rebuilt next to the older one.
Now, the aim is to give the old town as a symbol of memory and peace and to do this, Fundación Pueblo Viejo de Belchite has started an educational program for children and teenagers to approach the historical-heritage visit through emotions, showing them images of current conflicts, trying to create empathy through questions that put them in different tense situations such as "What would you do if you were hiding in a basement listening to bombs fall on your street?".
The key point is to make them reflect in conflict resolution by asking schoolchildren to agree through an assembly dynamic in order to understand the origins of the war conflicts. The contest of the old town seems the ideal scenario to make them reflect about all this topics.
So, the program is based on working with emotions, empathy and conflict resolution, adding educational value to this singular place, that until now had been used for free visits without any added value and also as the setting for different films due to its special characteristics.
By the end of 2020, the contents and skills that are proposed in these guided visits will have complementary interactive material in the form of a videogame.
Now, the aim is to give the old town as a symbol of memory and peace and to do this, Fundación Pueblo Viejo de Belchite has started an educational program for children and teenagers to approach the historical-heritage visit through emotions, showing them images of current conflicts, trying to create empathy through questions that put them in different tense situations such as "What would you do if you were hiding in a basement listening to bombs fall on your street?".
The key point is to make them reflect in conflict resolution by asking schoolchildren to agree through an assembly dynamic in order to understand the origins of the war conflicts. The contest of the old town seems the ideal scenario to make them reflect about all this topics.
So, the program is based on working with emotions, empathy and conflict resolution, adding educational value to this singular place, that until now had been used for free visits without any added value and also as the setting for different films due to its special characteristics.
By the end of 2020, the contents and skills that are proposed in these guided visits will have complementary interactive material in the form of a videogame.
Resources needed
This activity is carried out by the staff of the foundation who have specific pedagogical training.
Is complemented by other activities to be carried out in the town such as a visit to the ethnological museum the old mill or a puppet workshop and a fee of 5-8 euros per student is requested.
Is complemented by other activities to be carried out in the town such as a visit to the ethnological museum the old mill or a puppet workshop and a fee of 5-8 euros per student is requested.
Evidence of success
These visits are in increasing demand and more and more schools are interested in the project.
Regional founding has been raised to develop digital tools that will be created with the participation of local schoolchildren.
Regional founding has been raised to develop digital tools that will be created with the participation of local schoolchildren.
Potential for learning or transfer
This practice allows addressing new uses of the ruined heritage, adding educational value and pedagogical innovation, allowing the scene of a war conflict to become a powerful tool for memory and historical reflection that goes beyond the traditional nostalgia values attributed to the ruins.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
Fundación Pueblo Viejo de Belchite
Spain
Aragón
Contact
External Scientific Advisor