HIA Denmark Marks International Holocaust Remembrance Day with Public Debate

On Tuesday, January 26th, HIA Denmark hosted a public debate on “Dangerous Perceptions” to mark Holocaust Remembrance Day, which in Denmark is called “Auschwitz Dagen.” The meeting took place at the historical Grundtvig Society in a building called “Vartov,” situated in central Copenhagen near Town Hall Square. Over 80 guests were in attendance, as well as a panel of 4 speakers, who discussed the relevance of Holocaust Remembrance Day from a variety of perspectives.

Former Ambassador and member of the HIA Denmark Board of Representatives, Mr. Tyge Lehmann, addressed the issue of why it was only recently, in 2000, that the international community reached a consensus about establishing a Holocaust Remembrance Day.

Historian and Researcher at the Danish Jewish Museum, Mrs. Sofie Lene Bak, discussed the latest research pertaining to the Rescue of the Danish Jews in 1943, and explained how the discipline of Holocaust research has developed over the years.

Member of the Danish Parliament for the Social Democratic Party, Mrs. Yildiz Akdogan, addressed the current challenges for politicians advocating for protection of minorities and the relevance of Holocaust education in this pursuit.

And head of the Danish Jewish Community (Mosaisk Troessamfund), Mr. Finn Schwarz, discussed the Jewish community and antisemitism in contemporary Denmark.

Following the debate HIA Senior Fellow Emilie Holm Johansen introduced the Anne Frank Exhibition, developed by the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam. Ms. Holm Johansen is the exhibition coordinator for Denmark.