Benoît Niederkorn, Director of MNHM;
Credit: Jazmin Campbell, Chronicle.lu
The National Museum of Military History (MNHM) in Diekirch has launched a new remembrance portal titled "Echoes of War", a digital platform bringing together Luxembourg's war memorials and personal histories from the Second World War and beyond.
The official launch took place on the evening of Monday 19 January 2026 at Ciné Scala in Diekirch, in the presence of Luxembourg's Minister for Culture, Eric Thill, as well as the US and South Korean ambassadors to Luxembourg, among others.
In his opening remarks, Frank Rockenbrod, President of the MNHM asbl, underlined the museum's ambition to set new benchmarks in the study of military history. Referring to technological advances, he explained that the new portal offers a fresh perspective on the national tragedy of the Second World War by combining historical research with modern digital tools.
Following his speech, a promotional video introduced the portal, which aims to bring history to life through an interactive digital database.
Speaking in Luxembourgish, Culture Minister Eric Thill highlighted the considerable effort behind the project and its role in strengthening Luxembourg's remembrance culture. He described it as a bridge between the past, present and future, bringing together monuments from what he called the darkest chapter of the country's history, each monument with its own story. The minister stressed the fragility of peace and the continued importance of democratic values, freedom and human rights. He said his ministry was proud to support this initiative, which gives remembrance a new digital dimension for future generations and helps safeguard an important chapter of national history.
US Ambassador Stacey Feinberg, speaking in English, thanked the museum for its partnership and vision on what she described as an "extraordinary project" that not only preserves history but makes it innovative, meaningful and accessible to new generations. She underlined that each monument represents real people and real losses, adding that young people form the link between the past and the future. She thanked Luxembourg for never forgetting, noting how she had witnessed its gratitude for past sacrifices at commemorative events. She said the new portal ensures that remembrance is no longer limited to ceremonies or monuments, but is available to everyone.
Speaking (in several languages) on behalf of the Comité pour la mémoire de la Deuxième Guerre mondiale and the Œuvre Nationale de Secours Grande-Duchesse Charlotte, Guy Dockendorf emphasised the importance of truth, both in historical memory and the present day. Quoting 1970 Nobel Peace Prize winner Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, he said "one word of truth weighs more than the whole world" and warned against indifference in the face of falsehood and injustice. He recalled that the Œuvre relief fund was set up after the Second World War to help rebuild the Grand Duchy and continues to support people in need today. He also stressed the importance of initiatives such as "Echoes of War", which received funding from the Œuvre.
Following the speeches, MNHM Director Benoît Niederkorn presented the portal itself, noting that the project grew out of the museum's long-standing work on remembrance culture.
The portal currently consists of two interconnected databases: a monuments map (fully launched) and a people database (beta version). Following initial research conducted between 2020 and 2022, the website implementation phase took place between 2024 and 2025. The Echoes of War website is available in French, German and English.
The first database currently documents nearly 1,000 sites across Luxembourg, mainly monuments but also explanatory panels, memorial plaques, cemeteries and even stained glass windows in churches. Users can filter results by keyword (e.g. First World War, Second World War, Korean War) and view the sites on a map, in a list or as individual information cards containing photos and descriptions.
The second database lists more than 5,000 individuals linked to the war(s), many of whom died or disappeared. Users can search by name, army or nationality, or consult individual profiles (cards) with biographical information and images where available. The portal adopts a storytelling approach that personalises history and supports educational research.
Beyond documentation, "Echoes of War" has a pedagogical dimension, encouraging interdisciplinary learning and critical thinking through digital tools.
In closing, Benoît Niederkorn called on the public and schools to work together and contribute further information, helping to ensure that history is not forgotten. He noted that more than ten people, including students and museum staff, were actively involved in developing the portal, which is intended for a broad audience, ranging from researchers and tourists to educators and students.
The evening concluded with a reception hosted by the Luxembourg Army.
(Photo 1: Eric Thill, Luxembourg's Minister for Culture; Photo 2: US Ambassador Stacey Feinberg)
