To mark the centenary of World War I, St. Kilian’s and the Lycée Français d’Irlande, came together to produce a joint project entitled – World War I 1914-1918, The Western Front.
The event involved Transition Year, 11th class and some 12th class students from St. Kilian’s and the class of Premiere S,ES and L students from the LFI. We developed an interactive experience to bring our students, their parents and invited guests through key events on the Western Front during each year of the War from 1914 – 1918.
While the History Departments in both St. Kilian’s and the LFI are of course central to any commemoration of the War, this was truly a cross-curricular project. Many departments were involved including, French, English, German, Art and Music. It was all of that creative energy which made this such a special event in our school life.
Our main focus throughout the project was not to glorify war, but to show the pity of it, the futility and the waste of countless millions of lives. We feel that our school is especially suited to commemorating World War I, as all the Nations who were fighting one another in 1914 are now here living, working and studying in peace. In this way, our school and schools like it around the world, are the great symbols of hope for the future.
Mary Mahon, Head of History Department in St. Kilian’s
On Tuesday, 11th November 2014, students, teachers, staff, parents and friends of Eurocampus, Dublin gathered for a special event to commemorate the tragedy of the First World War. This unique event highlighted the loss and tragedy of the Great War, with a pop-up museum prepared by students, interactive exhibitions, readings from diaries, letters and poems, and live performances inspired by the War. The students recounted events from the war in the three languages of Eurocampus; English, French and German, and told the stories of the people who lived through the War. Drawing on accounts from Ireland, France and Germany, the students and their teachers showed the real impact and tragedy of the war in our three countries.
This important commemoration was a joint project of St. Kilian’s German school Dublin and the Lycée Français d’Irlande, situated in the Eurocampus in Clonskeagh, Dublin. The event was attended by the Ambassador of Germany Matthias Höpfner, the Ambassador of Austria Dr. Thomas Nader, the Ambassador of Belgium Philippe Roland and the French Ambassador Jean-Pierre Thebault, the Defense Attaché Sean Cosden of the Embassy of the United States and members of the Culture Attachés of France and Germany. The audience was highly impressed by the poignant performances of the students and the vivid representations of events during the World War I.
Commenting during the event, His Excellency Matthias Höpfner, Ambassador of Germany said that it was very impressive and you could see the commitment and enthusiasm of the students. The diversity of contributions and the use of theatre as a medium made the event very emotional and thought-provoking. It was also very exciting to see how different perspectives have been linked. The school can be very proud of itself.
Lieutenant Colonel Sean Cosden, Defense Attaché of the Embassy of the United States, added that it was a fantastic event and a great experience. It was very interesting how specific events of the war i.e the aspect of propaganda was branded rather than time lined but still was very integrative.
The students of the Eurocampus, who represent thirty different nationalities, emphasized the importance of solidarity, respect and citizenship during the commemoration, values they experience on a daily basis at school. The commemorative event reminded the audience of the importance of commemorating the Great War and its victims, of continuing to teach these values to younger generations, and of their role in building the future Europe.
Congratulations to all who have been involved and participated in this very exciting and historic event.
More images can be found in the gallery.
World War I Commemoration 2014, Photography by Barry Dillon
