Raoul Wallenberg’s Office in Second Life (2007)

On May 30, 2007, the Archivum and the Swedish Institute opened Raoul Wallenberg’s Office at the Embassy of Sweden in Second Life. The result was an interactive multimedia exhibit that not only has educational and humanitarian implications but also stretches the boundaries of what can be done with new technologies. Inside Wallenberg’s Office, a replica of his Budapest office in 1944–45, visitors can listen to a performance of Wallenberg dictating his last, semi-fictional diplomatic report on January 16, 1945, the day before he disappeared.

The unique and flexible environment allows visitors to explore Wallenberg’s personal belongings and sift through and download the actual archival documents on display. Explanatory note cards and external web links offer further context. And of course, visitors can sit at Wallenberg's desk and discuss their impressions with other visitors in real time.