Prague names street for hero who rescued hundreds of Jewish children during World War II

Prague 7’s Holešovice unveiled a brand new street connecting the east and west of the district on Tuesday, poignantly commemorating late British humanitarian Sir Nicholas Winton, who famously helped rescue Jewish children who were in danger of being murdered by Nazi Germany during the Holocaust in World War II. 

Nicholas Winton Street, located right by Prague’s old Bubny Station, is a tribute to the man who saved around 670 children in the 1930s and 1940s. Movingly, some of those rescued children were in attendance during Tuesday’s opening ceremony.

Just before the outbreak of World War II, Winton – liberal-minded stockbroker working in London at the time – coordinated rescue efforts with refugee workers in Prague and helped organize Czechoslovak Jewish children’s journeys from Central Europe to the UK. He also raised funds and sought foster families to care for the children in the UK.

After the war, Winton's rescue efforts remained virtually unknown. It was not until 1988, when his wife Grete found a scrapbook from 1939 with all the children's photos and a complete list of names of those rescued that Winton's rescue efforts became known.

The location of the new street was thought-out: it was from Bubny Station that the Nazis deported 50,000 Jews from Czechoslovakia during the Holocaust. 

“The idea of the naming the new street that will connect with Veletržní Street – a place through which Jews were passing on their way to deportation – appeared after years of research from the Memorial of Silence [a project that will transform Bubny into a center to show the events of World War II] team,” remarked Memorial of Silence director Pavel Štingl. The street lies adjacent to a brownfield site in the area that will be further developed.

The opening ceremony coincided with the 85th anniversary of the last planned Kindertransport journey  – an organized rescue effort of children from Nazi-controlled territory – from Prague, which was prevented from departing due to the outbreak of World War II.

“The actions of Nick help remind us how powerful we all can be if we choose to help and be vigilant,” said Michael Newman of the Association for Jewish Refugees at Tuesday's ceremony. “In venerating Nick, we acknowledge the heroism of many others,” he added.

Lady Milena Grenfell-Baines, today aged 94, was one of the children rescued by Winton. Attending the ceremony, she told guests: “People need to remember why this new street is called Nicholas Winton Street. “Because there is a big generation – thanks to him – alive today.”

She also told British news outlet BBC that commemorating the somber events of World War II is “so important, because very soon, no eyewitnesses will be here anymore.” She also referenced the One Life film, which recounts Winton's heroism.

Winton’s son was also in attendance. He said at the ceremony: “My father would have loved the symbolism of buildings coming out of this wasteland [brownfield site], as well as connecting east and west, and bringing communities together. If only this were true in the entire world.” 

British Ambassador to the Czech Republic Matt Field told Expats.cz: “The idea of a road that connects the east and west is a beautiful symbolic aspect. It’s also nice to have this street in a new and developing part of town, so we will see positive growth around here.”

Speaking on what the new street means for Prague and Czechia’s Jewish community, Field told Expats.cz: “I think this is very important; you can see that by the key participants who have attended today. It also means a lot to the British-Jewish community in the UK.” 

"Czechs and Brits – of all us – are trying to remember and live up to the legacy of Sir Winton,” Field said.