The power of the word
Can be experienced in libraries around Denmark during 2026
400 years of Jewish history – and a current conversation
The Power of the Word is a traveling exhibition about tolerance and anti-Semitism. The exhibition tells the story of the Jewish minority in Denmark as part of our shared narrative. It is the history of Denmark, which tells something fundamental about how a society handles diversity.
Through key historical events – from Christian IV's invitation to Jews in 1622 to the introduction of civil rights in 1814 and up to the present day – the exhibition examines how Jewish life in Denmark has always moved in the field of tension between acceptance and discrimination, tolerance and anti-Semitism.
A literary trail runs through the entire exhibition, where voices from every century make history present and personal. It matters how we talk about each other, and the exhibition focuses on words. The ambition is to give the audience a more nuanced and enlightened perspective in a difficult present, where prejudice and hatred are once again on the rise.
The exhibition is designed by Torden & Lynild.
Places to visit
Nyborg Library March 3 - 15, 2026
Skive Library March 17 - 31, 2026
Faaborg Library April 8 - May 4, 2026
Herning Library May 6 - 25, 2026
An exhibition for everyone
The traveling exhibition is free for all library users to experience. The subject is complex, but the exhibition is designed to look beyond the words in a historical perspective.
“There is a huge need for information about what anti-Semitism is and what it means,” says museum director Janus Møller Jensen. "Jewish life has existed in Denmark for 400 years. However, anti-Semitism has a history of more than 1000 years in the country. With this exhibition, we want to create a greater historical awareness of both the history of the word and its significance for Jewish life in a Danish context."
Hatred and prejudice against Jews, simply because they are Jews, is called anti-Semitism. It is prejudice that has been expressed in words, images, and actions for centuries. Language helps shape our view of other people and the world we share. When words and ideas are repeated many times, they can come to resemble truths.
The Power of Words is one of the national initiatives that aims to bring history to where people meet in everyday life – including in libraries throughout the country – and provide a solid and historically informed basis for understanding and recognizing anti-Semitism in the present day.
Local school students help create the exhibition
As a prelude to the opening in each city, the museum invites a local middle school class to a workshop developed in collaboration with the School Service – Knowledge Center for External Learning.
In the workshop, students work with a reading theater, traveling back in time and examining how Jewish life unfolded under different historical circumstances. They then create collages from historical sources that are integrated directly into the exhibition in each city.
Through co-creation, open reflection and the young people's own visual contributions, an exhibition is created that invites local anchoring and big conversations.
To the press
You can read the press release here.
Follow the exhibition at the four libraries
Nyborg Library
The traveling exhibition was at Nyborg Library from March 3rd to 15th, 2026. You can see what it looked like here.
We had a visit from 6.c from Vibeskolen. They were creative and made beautiful collages with us. Thank you so much for today!
Skive Library
From March 17 - 31, 2026, the traveling exhibition was at Skive Library.
Here we had a visit from the 6th grade from Skive Friskole. They were super cool about doing reading theater and investigating the exhibition.
In the end they made 8 collages, which are now hanging in the exhibition. Thank you for the workshop!
Faaborg Library
From April 08th - May 04th, 2026, the traveling exhibition was at Faaborg Library.
Here we were visited by 5th graders from Enghaveskolen for our workshop. They worked curiously with the themes in the reading theater and retold it all in beautiful collages.
Thanks for today!
Herning Library
From April 06 - May 25, 2026, the traveling exhibition is at Herning Library.
Here we were visited by 6th graders from Bifrost Kindergarten for our workshop. In front of the green plant wall, we performed the reading theater for each other, with applause and good reflections on the story. Afterwards, they made beautiful collages, which now hang in the exhibition.
It has been a pleasure!
