Please join us for Kristallnacht Commemoration 2025:
“WE’VE STARTED SOMETHING HERE WE CAN’T STOP:”
The Remarkable Rescue Work of Varian Fry
In the spring of 1940, France was invaded by German Forces. Within a month, the French army was overwhelmed and defeated. As a result, many thousands of Jews and anti-Nazis fled to southern France, seeking safety there, as that region of the country was not ruled directly by Germany, but by a puppet French regime.
The French police, however, soon began combing southern France for “Undesirables,” turning them over to Nazi authorities for deportation to concentration camps.
In August, 1940, an American named Varian Fry, aged 33, began running an underground rescue network in southern France. His work ultimately enabled nearly 2,000 refugees to escape persecution and death at the hands of Nazi Germany. Among them, was famed artist Marc Chagall. In August, 1941, Varian Fry was arrested by the French police for his activities and expelled from France.
Who was Varian Fry? What motivated him to do this? How did he accomplish it? Why did Connecticut just designate Fry’s birthday as “Varian Fry Day?” COME AND LEARN!
— IN-PERSON & VIA ZOOM —
SUNDAY, NOV. 9 | 9:30 AM — 11:30 AM
PROGRAM’S EVENTS:
- Bella Chagall Meyer, whose grandfather, artist Marc Chagall was rescued by Varian Fry, will reflect on Fry’s courage and conscience.
- Danielle Kinstlinger, a member of our community, will recall how she and her family were saved by Varian Fry.
- Prof. David Pettigrew, Chairman of the Dept. of Philosophy at Southern CT State University will speak on Varian Fry’s legacy today.
- U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal will present a Senate Certificate of Special Recognition to the family of Varian Fry, to be accepted by Linda Stillman, Varian’s niece.
- State Representative Matt Blumenthal will present a State of Connecticut Citation to Varian Fry’s family.