The little-known story of Jean Weidner, an Adventist resistance fighter during World War II, is being highlighted through a new audio series and comic strip produced by Hope Radio. This collaboration between radio director Stéphane Vincent and artist Christian Pierre will be presented on France Culture on January 9, 2025, aiming to raise awareness about Weidner's life and contributions to the resistance.
The project originated in July 2021 during a visit to the newly named Jean Weidner student residence at the Adventist campus in Collonges-sous-Salève, where campus director Jean-Philippe Lehmann discussed Weidner's heroic efforts. Inspired by this conversation, Vincent decided to create an audio series that evolved from a straightforward documentary to an immersive audio fiction format, engaging listeners through a narrative experience rather than a conventional historical account.
Vincent reconnected with Christian Pierre, an artist he had collaborated with 25 years earlier, to bring his vision to life. Pierre, a theology graduate from Collonges, enthusiastically joined the project. After producing a preliminary audio sample in June 2022, Vincent sought to enhance its immersive quality, leading to the idea of creating a comic strip to complement the audio series, which Pierre would illustrate. In 2023, the Franco-Belgian Union recognized the cultural significance of this dual project and provided support.
The first season of Jean Weidner, the Passeur, was released in November 2024. It comprises ten episodes designed to immerse listeners in the heart of the resistance through engaging performances without traditional narration. One episode will be released monthly on Hope Radio, allowing audiences to connect continuously with Weidner's story.
Weidner Resistance History
Weidner was born in Brussels in 1912 and moved to the Adventist Seminary in Collonges-sous-Salève in 1925. By 1942, he founded the resistance network known as "Dutch-Paris," which facilitated the escape of over 800 Jews and numerous airmen and other refugees fleeing from Holland to Switzerland and Spain. His commitment came with dire consequences, including the deportation and death of his sister, Gabrielle, due to her involvement. Weidner was arrested multiple times by the Gestapo but managed to escape each time.
After the war, Weidner immigrated to the United States, where he worked to ensure his story would not be forgotten. In 1962, journalist Herbert Ford published his biography, “Flee the Captor,” which was later translated into French as “Le passeur.” Weidner passed away in 1994, and TIME magazine recognized his contributions, paying tribute to him. A center and museum dedicated to his legacy were established at the former Atlantic Union College in the United States, further solidifying his place in history.
The upcoming audio series and comic strip seek to commemorate Weidner’s legacy and underscore the values of altruism and resistance central to the Adventist Church. By sharing his story through this innovative multimedia project, the creators seek to reach a wider audience and ensure that Weidner's heroic actions are not forgotten.
The original article was published on the Inter-European Division website.
