Colera, Molinàs, and Llançà in Alt Empordà have seen the first signs installed for new "Freedom Routes", according to Diari Catalunya. These routes aim to remember the border crossings used during the Second World War.
The project is a joint effort by the Reeixida Foundation, several local councils, and the Democratic Memorial. It marks historical paths through the Mediterranean landscape.
Officials believe Llançà could become a central point for this initiative. "Llançà can become the ground zero of this project, in the same way that Portbou is for the dissemination of the figure of Walter Benjamin," a spokesperson told Diari Catalunya. The routes serve to educate future generations about the region's role in wartime exile.
Commemorating History
The "Freedom Routes" project seeks to preserve the memory of those who fled through these areas. Many people crossed the Pyrenees into Catalonia during World War II, seeking refuge or passage to other countries. The new signage helps visitors and residents trace these significant journeys.
This initiative follows similar efforts in other parts of Catalonia to honour historical memory. The Democratic Memorial, a public institution, often supports projects that document and disseminate knowledge about Catalonia's democratic memory, particularly from the Civil War and the Franco dictatorship.
Moving forward, the organisations involved plan to expand the routes and develop educational programmes. These will further engage the public with the history of the Second World War and its impact on the Alt Empordà region.
