So the Red Star Line Museum in Antwerp translated ‘Een gewilde vluchteling: Einstein en Red Star Line‘ into ‘A wanted refugee: Einstein and Red Star Line‘ and not into ‘A desirable refugee: Einstein and Red Star Line‘. Anyway, you can visit the exhibition until Sunday 8 September 2024.

The exhibition returns to a turbulent period in which luxury passenger Albert Einstein (1879-1955) became a welcome refugee who was seeking a temporary stay in Antwerp. The exhibition brings this little piece of history to life with some unique objects, photos and stories, adorned with an audio play from Het Geluidshuis. You can discover the exhibition for free on your own or during a guided tour.  

As a famous scientist, Albert Einstein travelled on the Red Star Line shipping company’s vessels several times. 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.  In his life, Einstein was a citizen of the Kingdom of Württenberg, stateless, of Switzerland, of Austria, of the Kingdom of Prussia, of the Free State of Prussia and then of the United States. 

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.   

A visit

The exhibition is free. The exhibition is small, smaller than other temporary exhibitions at Red Star Line Museum. But everything is told. 

The panels don’t shy away of pointing out how privileged Einstein was compared to other refugees. A dynalic which is still true today. Some conflicts hit home more and some refugees are more welcome than others. 

The exhibition uses blue and white, as in the flag of Israel. A conscious choice? 

Art and museums in Antwerp

• FOMU 2024 | Antwerp photography museum ft. Dirk Braeckman, ‘RE/SISTERS’ and Nick Geboers.
• A visit of the Flemish Tram and Bus Museum – Vlaams Tram- en Autobusmuseum (VlaTAM) in Antwerp.
• MUSEUM AAN DE STROOM | ‘City at war, Antwerp 1940-1945’.
• ANTWERP | M HKA modern art museum presents first half of 2024 activities.
• ANTWERP | Discovering queer(ed) art with the Queer Tour at the KMSKA fine arts museum.
• REVIEW | Illusion Antwerpen, an active and photogenic museum.
• Antwerp museums and sports facilities team up with European Disability Card for accessible leisure activities.
• ‘Jef Verheyen, Window On Infinity’ exhibition at KMSKA, the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp, until 18 August 2024.
• Inside the KMSKA or Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp.
• Museum Mayer van den Bergh.
• 2024 at Royal Museum of Fine Arts of Antwerp (KMSKA): Rubens, James Ensor, Jules Schmalzigaug and many more.
• 2024 at the museums of Antwerp ft. Ensor Year.
• ANTWERP | Inside Rubens House.
• ModeMuseum MoMu – Fashion Museum Antwerp 2022.
• Museum Plantin-Moretus in Antwerp.
• ANTWERP | Museum Vleeshuis up for restoration.
• BOOK | ‘Antwerp. An Archaeological View on the Origin of the City’ by Tim Bellens.
• Red Star Line Museum.
• Paleis op de Meir. 
• DIVA, Antwerp Home of Diamonds.
• ANTWERP | Red Star Line Museum of (e)migration.
• ANTWERP | Museum Mayer van den Bergh is expanding into former District Hall.