31st Annual Wallenberg Lecture with Marko Liias

Join us for the 31st Annual Wallenberg Lecture given by Washington State Senator Marko Liias

Looking to the inspiration of figures like Raoul Wallenberg and Tove Jansson, this talk explores why standing by is never truly neutral—and how the uncomfortable political questions of our time are really calls for each of us to step forward, find the courage within us, and protect our neighbors.

Afterwards, you are welcome to join us for a reception with coffee and light bites in Fjord Hall.

Honoring the Memory of Swedish Diplomat, Raoul Wallenberg

Raoul Wallenberg was a Swedish architect and businessman who served as Sweden's special envoy in Nazi-occupied Budapest from July to December 1944. During that time, Wallenberg issued protective passports to Jewish persons and sheltered Jews in Swedish-territory buildings, saving tens of thousands of people from deportation to concentration camps. Wallenberg was detained by the Soviet Army in 1944 and reportedly died in a communist prison in 1947. Today, he is celebrated by countries worldwide for his courageous humanitarian efforts.

Our annual Wallenberg Lecture series commemorates Raoul Wallenberg's heroic actions by bringing speakers to the Museum to discuss human rights and social justice.