According to Meghann Ormond (front left in the photo), the co-creation of the tour generated lots of energy. Photo Christine Rossegger The co-creation of the very first walking tour by Freedom Tours Wageningen is almost complete. The official launch of the route will take place on 28 June, when it will also be possible to participate in the route. More tours will be made available for WUR staff over the coming year.
Meghann Ormond, associate professor of Cultural Geography, coordinated and facilitated the creation of the route. The starting point of Freedom Tours Wageningen was to “encourage people to think about what freedom means today – and to whom,” explains Ormond, not to replicate already existing tours about Wageningen’s important role in ending Nazi occupation in 1945. “We wanted to offer both residents and visitors a fresh and deeply personal exploration of freedom.”
Not a lecture, but a conversation
The tour was developed by the people of Wageningen themselves: a mix of people who live, study or work in the city, the asylum seekers’ centre or on campus. Co-creating over a period of four months, they devised a tour lasting approximately two hours that reflects their experiences, concerns and dreams for the future. In addition to observation, reflection and dialogue play an important role. At various points, the guides share their personal stories and invite participants to do the same. “The walk is not a lecture, but a conversation. Everyone has something to contribute”, tour co-creator Mariana Figallo explains.
This first tour focuses specifically on freedom through the lens of gender and sexuality. The launch is on 28 June, the end of Pride Month. The intention is to expand their offerings with walks offering other perspectives on freedom. “Freedom Tours Wageningen wants to continue to amplify historically marginalised voices,” explains Ormond. “The struggle for liberation did not end in 1945. It continues in our daily struggles for safety, dignity and equality.”
WUR supports Freedom Tours Wageningen through the Diversity & Inclusion team, the Learning Ecosystem of Wageningen initiative, and the Tourism@WUR and Gender & Diversity clusters of the Centre for Space, Place & Society.
On Saturday, 28 June, the tour will be available in both a morning and an afternoon edition (starting at 10 am or 2 pm; both in English). Participation is free of charge; the starting location will be announced after registration (mandatory). Ten free tours will be made available for WUR staff over the coming year, thanks to support from WUR’s Diversity & Inclusion team.
