The Mid-Atlantic - Eurasia Business Council is hosting a few events to recognize and celebrate the life and accomplishments of an often forgotten hero - Carl Lutz. His humanitarian action is considered the greatest civil rescue operation of Jews during the Holocaust. This year will mark the 80th anniversary of Carl Lutz’s great feat to save over 60,000 lives from the Holocaust during his tenure as Vice-Consul at the Swiss Embassy in Budapest.
This event series, which the Mid-Atlantic - Eurasia Business Council initially introduced at the Summer 2019 International Business Networking Reception at the National Museum of Jewish History in Philadelphia, serves to honor Carl Lutz and numerous other diplomats from many nations who acted with bravery and courage in the Holocaust.
Carl Lutz’s events are taking place in Philadelphia - the city where Carl Lutz served as Chancellor at the Swiss Consulate from 1926 to 1934.
On March 30 & June 30, 2020, March 30, 2021, and October 23, 2022 the Mid-Atlantic - Eurasia Business Council hosted public virtual & hybrid events showcasing the life and legacy of Carl Lutz and Diplomatic Rescue in the Holocaust. They hosted several excellent speakers, including City of Philadelphia, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania officials, U.S. Congresswoman from Pennsylvania & several international consuls and showed a recorded interview with Carl Lutz's stepdaughter, Agnes Hirschi. On October 23, 2022, the Mid-Atlantic - Eurasia Business Council and Jewish Genealogical and Archival Society of Greater Philadelphia co-hosted a hybrid event at Congregation Rodeph Shalom in Philadelphia showcasing the life and legacy of Carl Lutz and Diplomatic Rescue in the Holocaust, presented film "Dangerous Diplomacy", and held a discussion with the Co-Producers and Co-Directors of this documentary. Please find the links below to the "Dangerous Diplomacy" Film Sneak Peak presented during our program on Carl Lutz’ 125th Birthday.
From December 2025 – Fall 2026, the Mid-Atlantic - Eurasia Business Council will continue to showcase the life and legacy of Carl Lutz and Diplomatic Rescue in the Holocaust through a variety of presentations. These events will take place both virtually and in-person at indoor and outdoor locations in Philadelphia, including the Mayor’s Reception Room in Philadelphia City Hall, Philadelphia Holocaust Memorial Plaza, and various universities and colleges in the Greater Philadelphia Area.
They will hold the "Visas for Life: The Righteous and Honorable Diplomats" exhibit at the Quaker Arch Street Meeting House in Philadelphia (320 Arch Street, PA 19106), which will honor diplomats across nations who undertook heroic rescue efforts during the Holocaust. The exhibition will culminate on March 30, 2026, the anniversary of Carl Lutz's birth and the centennial of his arrival in Philadelphia. They are planning to host international experts and guests including Agnes Hirschi, Carl Lutz’ stepdaughter and President of the Carl Lutz Society, have several hybrid events from December 17, 2025 – March 30, 2026, present the Forgotten Heroes of the Holocaust Congressional Gold Medal story, and to have a memorial in 2026, the 100th year anniversary of Carl Lutz' arrival in Philadelphia.
For further information please see our flyer.