Marseille 1940: The Escape to Freedom

When France surrendered to Nazi Germany, Marseille became a crucial stop for Europe's artists, writers and intellectuals fleeing toward freedom.

In the summer of 1940, a number of German and European artists, writers and intellectuals sit stranded in Marseille. France has just surrendered to Nazi Germany and now the Gestapo is looking for Jewish artists and freethinkers such as Heinrich Mann, Hannah Arendt, Walter Benjamin, among others. The young Spanish painter Remedios Varo is also awaiting an escape opportunity in the port city. But amid the darkness, there is hope. American journalist Varian Fry forms, with his life's efforts, a network to help those stuck in Marseille move towards freedom. This fascinating story has been recreated by the German writer and journalist Uwe Wittstock in the book Marseille 1940 — The Great Escape of Literature. Like its predecessor Februar 33 — The Winter of Literature, this documentary tale has topped the German bestseller lists for months.

Meet Uwe Wittstock in the Concert Hall and hear, among other things, how the exhibitionist Remedios Varo escaped the French port city and ended up in exile in Mexico, where most of her works were created.

Hosted by Marc-Christoph Wagner

The event takes place in German with a summary translation into Danish.

The evening will be held in collaboration with Goethe-Institut Dänemark, Copenhagen.