Everyday stories often fade without leaving a trace. Behind major historical events, it is these personal memories that give history its human depth. It is from this conviction that the project "Deemols – Eis Geschicht(en)" was created.

Initiated by the teams of the Upper Sûre Nature Park, the project grew out of the observation that many testimonies related to the Second World War, as well as the decades that followed, were still present in the memory of people living in the region, yet had neither been collected nor shared. The initiative quickly evolved: it was no longer only about preserving local memory, but about creating a national space where diverse life stories could be expressed.

The collaboration with the organisation GERO, which has long been committed to preserving collective memory, marked a turning point. Together, the partners developed a digital platform designed to collect, preserve and make these testimonies accessible to a broad public.

The interviews address a wide range of themes and cover different periods, from the Second World War to the decades that followed, including the 1960s and 1970s. They explore childhood, work, traditions and everyday life, shedding light on a form of memory that is often absent from conventional archives. Through these accounts, the project gives a voice to older generations and recognizes the value of their lived experiences.

A key feature of "Deemols" is its intergenerational approach. Interviews are conducted by senior volunteers who are trained in interview techniques and in the use of audiovisual tools. Their involvement continues through editing, transcription and publication, reflecting a collaborative process and the sharing of skills.

The project also relies on a network of partners from complementary fields including research, audiovisual production and socio cultural work. Their contributions support the structure and quality of the content while ensuring it remains accessible to different audiences.

Some moments highlighted the importance of this initiative in a particularly powerful way. In several cases, testimonies were recorded shortly before the passing of the individuals interviewed. Preserved with the agreement of their relatives, these accounts sometimes became the only trace of their lives.

While the willingness to share stories is strong, the implementation of the project has not been without challenges. Supporting volunteers, particularly from a technical perspective, required adapting methods and strengthening training to ensure both quality and long term sustainability.

Today, "Deemols – Eis Geschicht(en)" continues to develop, with the ambition of becoming a lasting resource: a platform accessible to the general public, a teaching tool for education, and a source for historical research. The project highlights how collective memory is also built from fragile but essential voices.