A welcome refugee: Einstein and the Red Star Line

In 1933, during his return trip from New York on the Belgenland, he received the bad news that the Nazis had plundered his summerhouse. Being a Jewish scientist, he was not particularly well-liked by them. For safety’s sake, Einstein decided not to travel on to Germany, resigned from the Prussian Academy for Sciences and renounced his German nationality. He was taken in by some friendly scientists and artists in Belgium.

This was how the world star turned into a privileged and welcome refugee, as compared to many other Jewish refugees who had a far harder time finding safe accommodation. Several months later, Einstein embarked with the Red Star Line once more to move to America for good, where he swore his oath as an American citizen in 1940.

The exhibition displays some unique objects, including the original passenger list with Einstein on the Belgenland, photos by Germaine Van Parys of Einstein at the Rijnkaai in Antwerp, a photo of Einstein with James Ensor, a racist pamphlet ‘Judentum und Wissenschaft’ (‘Jewry and Science’, 1936) by Wilhelm Müller during the Nazi regime that presents Jewish scientists as a threat, a photo of Einstein’s swearing of the oath as an American citizen in 1940, etc.

Practical information:

• This guided tour is suitable for groups of adults
• Maximum 15 persons per group, maximum 1 group at the same time
• Duration: 90 minutes