Catalan historical memory groups launch joint ticket for cross-border visits to exile sites

Catalan democratic memory spaces have launched the new 'Pass Exilis,' a joint ticket allowing visits to five sites across Catalonia and France that preserve the history of the Civil War and WWII exiles.

The initiative looks to promote historical memory tourism, encourage cross-border cooperation, and strengthen the connection between historical sites and citizens. 

The joint ticket provides access to the Exile Memorial Museum in La Jonquera near the Spanish-French border, the Rivesaltes Camp Memorial and the Argelers Camp Memorial, both in southern France, the Collioure Castle and the Swiss Maternity Hospital in Elna, on the French Mediterranean coast. 

Anyone who purchases a ticket to one of the sites will be able to access the others as well, seeking to encourage circulation and increase attendance of the facilities on both sides of the border. 

The 'Pass Exilis' is a pilot test which looks to evaluate possible future expansions within the cultural and memorial tourism field.

The project forms part of the cross-border cooperation initiative 'Exilis 1936-1946' running between January 2024 and December 2026. It is 65% funded by the POCTEFA 2021-2027 project, a cooperation program fostering development in the border areas of Spain, France, and Andorra.