Educational tour 2026: Pedalling East Prussian History. Educational cycling tour from Sudovia through Masuria

We invite young people to explore the history and cultural heritage of the former East Prussian borderlands between Lithuania and Poland together by bicycle from 4–12 July 2026.

Who we are looking for:

We are looking for young people who are interested in history, culture and European border regions and who would like to discover the diverse heritage of southern East Prussia in a shared educational cycling tour.

What do we offer?

• A linear cycling route from Kybartai (Lithuania) to Olsztyn (Poland) (approx. 450 kilometres in total), with daily stages of up to 85 km. Please note: parts of the route include gravel roads and uneven surfaces.
• Dates: 04 July 2026 – 12 July 2026
• An extensive educational and cultural programme with a focus on the history, cultural heritage and borderland experiences of the former East Prussian region.
• Participants prepare and present short thematic inputs related to places, biographies and historical contexts along the route.
• Working language: English
• A support vehicle for luggage transport and technical assistance.
• Participation fees: 175 euros for students (for Lithuanian and Polish students: 145 euro); 215 euros for civic education multipliers (for Lithuanian/Polish: 185 euro).
• The participation fee includes accommodation, full board, bicycle rental, luggage transport and entrance fees.
• Arrival in Kybartai and departure from Olsztyn are organised individually by participants.
• Age: 18–45 (young people aged 18–35; multipliers from the field of civic and historical education up to the age of 45)
• Registration deadline is 19 February 2026. You will receive an answer within one week.

The preliminary programme can be downloaded as a PDF here: https://www.deutsche-gesellschaft-ev.de/images/veranstaltungen/studienreisen/2026/2026-ostpreussen/Programme_Bike-EPR-2026-01-30.pdf

The project is funded by the German Federal Ministry of the Interior. Further funding has been requested from the Cultural Department for East Prussia and the Baltic States (Kulturreferat für Ostpreußen und das Baltikum) and the Zentrum gegen Vertreibungen. Cooperation partners include the International Students of History Association (ISHA).