Visas for Life: The Righteous and Honorable Diplomats

The Mid-Atlantic - Eurasia Business Council would be delighted to get your involvement in efforts to recognize and commemorate the life and accomplishments of a forgotten hero - Carl Lutz and other diplomats involved in rescue during the Holocaust. Carl Lutz's action of saving more than 60,000 lives during the Holocaust at the time of his tenure as Vice-Consul at the Swiss Embassy in Budapest is considered the greatest civil rescue.

The Mid-Atlantic – Eurasia Business Council and the Jewish Genealogical and Archival Society of Greater Philadelphia are proud to announce the successful opening of "Visas for Life: The Righteous and Honorable Diplomats," a powerful exhibition celebrating the heroic efforts of diplomats who risked their lives and careers to rescue tens of thousands during the Holocaust. The exhibition opened on December 17, 2025, at the historic Quaker community building, Arch Street Meeting House in Philadelphia and will re-open with the culminating events taking place on March 29-31, 2026, including the celebration of Carl Lutz's birthday and the centennial of his arrival in Philadelphia on March 30, 2026.

On March 29-31, 2026 we will host international experts and guests including Agnes Hirschi, Carl Lutz’ stepdaughter and Honorary President of the Carl Lutz Society, and Consul General of Switzerland Ambassador Niculin Jäger; feature hybrid and in-person events at indoor and outdoor locations in Philadelphia; present the Forgotten Heroes of the Holocaust Congressional Gold Medal story; discuss the Carl Lutz documentary "Dangerous Diplomacy" with its filmmakers; and to have a memorial in 2026, the 100th year anniversary of Carl Lutz' arrival in Philadelphia.

The culmination activities will include panels and exhibition on March 30, 2026. For more information, please see our flyer, agenda. For "Visas for Life: The Righteous and Honorable Diplomats" exhibition pictures, please click here. For further information please visit https://ma-rbc.org/Carl_Lutz.html

For preliminary complimentary registration for key events on March 30, 2026: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMscumsqDooHdSglNOFBiA2Yi37h7g5HQEl

For additional information please contact us at (484) 467-7444 or via email [email protected]. We eagerly anticipate your presence at "Carl Lutz and Diplomatic Rescue in the Holocaust" events!