On your point about Smarty, IIRC Smarty uses "compiled templates", so if the performance issue you mention is only in the "compile phase" is becomes a moot point - each template only compiled once, thereafter the template content is output from (much faster) cache.
Here are some of the XML-based template engines I know of.
I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.