Reported by Yuruo Zhang, class of 2027
On Oct. 23, 2025, Duke Kunshan warmly welcomed Sonja MÜHLBERGER, a child of Shanghai Jewish refugee parents. During the sharing, she introduced her remarkable story in Shanghai during World War II. Over 20 students and 4 faculty members attended this lecture.
After Sonja’s father was released from the Dachau concentration camp, her parents boarded one of the last ships to Shanghai. Sonja was born 6 months after her parents had arrived in Shanghai. Using photos and videos, she vividly recreated her childhood for the audience. She even brought her original birth certificate, a document issued by the Shanghai International Committee nearly 80 years ago, to the event for us to see up close. She also recounted many interesting childhood anecdotes in detail, such as how she became famous throughout the community after her father printed her picture on the bread sold in the family bakery, and how she loved sports as a child, especially soccer, but regretted that there was no women’s soccer team at the time.
Sonja returned to Berlin with her family in 1947 and devoted herself to English and German education. She has also long been dedicated to sharing her witness to history. She has published a book called Exile Shanghai: Jewish Life in Emigration 1938–1947. A memorial wall that has 13,732 names of Jews who had found refuge in Shanghai was built at the Shanghai Jewish Refugees Museum, upon this book. Sonja has donated two copies of this book to the DKU library. Students are able to access the book in the Special Collections room.
Despite being in her eighties, Sonja is a very interesting and lively lady. Her humorous yet moving narration captivated the entire audience. At the same time, her role as a witness to history makes this event highly educational and academic.
