Even in exile, the actress Helene Weigel organised everyday family life largely on her own. In June 1933, while her husband Bertolt Brecht stayed in Paris for rehearsals, she travelled with her two children and housekeeper by ship to Denmark via France, Belgium and the Netherlands. At first they found refuge in the house of Weigel's long-time friend, the writer Karin Michaelis, on the island of Thurö. As it became clear however that a return to Germany would be impossible in the foreseeable future, Weigel started to look for an inexpensive permanent residence. She found a suitable house six miles outside of Svendborg – 8 Skovsbostrand. With the help of an architect she planned the conversion of the former barn to a tranquil home office for her husband, separate from the rest of the house. The family moved together into the new house in Christmas 1933. They lived here until 1939 – Brecht was often away on travel however.

In May 1934 Helene Weigel transferred her German driver’s license, which the independently-minded actor had already completed in 1928, to a Danish license. The Brechts had already obtained an old Ford which they used to run errands in Svendborg, which was six kilometres away.