Langlet Valdemar & Nina

Langlet, Valdemar Langlet, Nina In 1944, Valdemar Langlet was a lecturer of the Swedish language at the Budapest University and an unpaid cultural attaché at the Swedish Embassy. The 72-year-old Langlet, originally from Valla, Sweden, had come to the Hungarian capital 13 years earlier and had a thorough knowledge of Hungary. He was aware of the imminent danger threatening the Jewish population after Germany’s entry in March 1944. Langlet’s rescue activity on behalf of Jews started early – several months before Wallenberg’s arrival in July 1944. It all began with Langlet’s wife Nina, who, one day, during a stroll, noticed a sign of the Red Cross and it gave her an idea to use the Swedish Red Cross to help Jews. Soon connections were made, and Langlet was appointed representative of the SRC. Economic support came from the Hungarian Jews who also deposited money and valuables with them, including real estate properties and they were all marked with Red Cross emblems. The Langlets were constantly in contact with Jewish organizations and they managed to issue the first letters of protection in May 1944. These letters saved people from being deported to death camps. At first, these life-saving documents were given to people who worked for the Swedish Red Cross, but later were distributed to people outside the organization, too. On October 15, 1944, the Arrow Cross party came to power and a reign of terror against the Jews ensued. The humanitarian activity of the SRC increased. Both Valdemar and Nina manifested courage and exceptional devotion to the task of rescuing Jews, despite all the dangers involved. Instead of 400 letters of protection allowed by the Hungarian authorities – they handed out many times that number. They also gave refuge to Jews at their home. Nina Langlet devoted herself especially to the rescue of children. Owing to the Langlets’ initiatives, the Jewish orphanage in Budapest was saved. Nevertheless, the activities of the couple did not remainsecret and the authorities stopped the SRC work on December 14, 1944. Both Langlets were arrested, beaten and interrogated, but they were released through the intervention of Ambassador Danielsson*. They left the country on May 26, 1945. After the war, the Langlets wrote about their wartime experiences in Hungary. Valdemar penned the book: Works and Days in Budapest, and Nina wrote: Chaos in Budapest. On February 16, 1965, Yad Vashem recognized Valdemar and Nina Langlet as Righteous Among the Nations.