70 years after the end of WWII and 70 years after Raoul Wallenberg’s disappearance in the Soviet Union, the full circumstances of his fate remain unknown.
To mark this anniversary, an international group of historians and Wallenberg experts are set to begin a new initiative intended to bring about a resolution of the case.
The purpose of this initiative is to pool researchers’ knowledge and expertise in order to devise new ways of advancing the search for answers and, in particular, to facilitate access to all pertinent documentation in Russian and other international archives.
Our central aim is to create a Blueprint for solving the Raoul Wallenberg case.
Our short term goals are:
- to prepare a Master List of questions pending in the Raoul Wallenberg case, through intensive discussion with international experts
- to hold a joint meeting in the autumn 2015*, to finalize the Master List of essential questions and requests (*time and date to be announced)
- to take this Master List to Moscow, with a small delegation of researchers, who will meet with Russian officials and archivists to address the problem of direct access to key documentation.
- to prepare separate Master Lists of questions for other international archives
We wish to ensure that even in this increasingly difficult political climate, the door on a constructive dialogue with Russian archivists and officials does not close entirely. The RWI, therefore, seeks the close cooperation of both the Russian and Swedish governments, as well as other international organization and representatives.
We also warmly welcome all members of the public who wish to join the effort. Your support, in whatever way you might be willing to extend it, is greatly appreciated.
Coordinator
Susanne Berger
e-mail: sberger37@hotmail.com
Tel: 001 (703) 237-0946
Photo Credit: Raoul Wallenberg’s photo on a 1943 visa application, The Hungarian National Archives, Budapest