Anniversary of saving Danish Jews
October, 2023 - marks that 80 years have passed since October 1943, where the majority of Jews in Denmark escaped a Nazi-led round up and planned deportation.
Due to swift actions and agency of the Danish Jewish community, and with help from a broad array of Danish civil society actors and citizens, spontaneous and risky escape operations took place.
By way of small vessels and fishing boats, around 7,000 men, women and children – Jews and non-Jews - were sailed to safety in Sweden. However, close to 500 people were caught or denounced by collaborators, and sent to the Theresienstadt Ghetto.
The escape of the majority of Danish Jews is among the lights in an otherwise dark period in our history, and remains a lesson to be remembered and learned from. Especially, as the world continues to grapple with war and persecution.
In Denmark, we commemorate October 1943 - not to proclaim heroic deeds - but to remind ourselves of the values that manifested themselves at the time - humanity, solidarity, compassion and civic courage - and the continued relevance of these values in the world of today.Learn more about the Danish events by reading the booklet ‘OCT 1943 - Escape of the Danish Jews: https://um.dk/en/-/media/websites/umen/foreign-policy/office-of-the-special-representative-for-freedom-of-religions-or-belief/booklet-single-page-low-resolution.ashx
The National Museum of Denmark/Museum of Danish Resistance
