The historical building of Villa Grande houses Center for studies of Holocaust and Religious Minorities in Norway.
August 23. 2006, the center opened a permanent Holocaust exhibition with archives, library, etc. in Villa Grande on the Bygdøy peninsula. Villa Grande was during World War II the residence of the Norwegian collaborator and Nazi-leader, Vidkun Quisling. Villa Grande was then known as "Gimle". With this symbolic act of reappropriation we hope to transform the image of this still monumental building. Once a house of shame it is now - as a matter of historical irony - filled with activities in contrast to its former role.
The Center for Studies of Holocaust and Religious Minorities in Norway has two main fields of interest: the Holocaust on the one hand and religious minorities on the other. Within these two fields of interest the Center will contribute with new research, education and information activities, exhibitions and conferences. Moreover, it is the explicit aim to be a meeting place for people who want to participate in the enduring controversy concerning all kinds of religious, racist and ethnic motivated repression.