Levi declines the invitation to the conference of the National Association of Former Prisoners (ANEI) at Riva del Garda and comments on the uncertain political situation in Italy.
no, purtroppo non mi sarĂ possibile venire al congresso di Riva,[1] mi spiace molto (quanti anni sono passati dal nostro ultimo incontro?). Sono le condizioni di salute di mia madre a tenerci in pensiero: motivo per cui ho tardato 20 giorni a rispondere al tuo invito. Ho appena scritto un messaggio analogo a Piasenti.
Grazie dei ritagli che mi hai mandato: le notizie non sono gradevoli, e del resto qui in Italia stiamo vivendo settimane di sgomento e incertezza estremi.[2] I miei complimenti per il successo del tuo libro in Francia; buon lavoro per il prossimo!
Sempre tuo
Primo Levi
April 10, 1976
Dear Hermann,
No, unfortunately I will not be able to come to the meeting in Riva,[1] which I regret very much (how many years has it been since we last saw each other?). The issue is the health conditions of my mother, which are causing us worry: it is also for this reason that it took me 20 days to reply to your invitation. I have just written the same thing to Piasenti.
Thank you very much for the clippings you sent me: the news is not pleasant, and moreover, here in Italy, we are experiencing weeks of extreme distress and uncertainty.[2] I am happy for you about the success of your book in France; best wishes for your work on the next one!
no, purtroppo non mi sarĂ possibile venire al congresso di Riva,[1] mi spiace molto (quanti anni sono passati dal nostro ultimo incontro?). Sono le condizioni di salute di mia madre a tenerci in pensiero: motivo per cui ho tardato 20 giorni a rispondere al tuo invito. Ho appena scritto un messaggio analogo a Piasenti.
Grazie dei ritagli che mi hai mandato: le notizie non sono gradevoli, e del resto qui in Italia stiamo vivendo settimane di sgomento e incertezza estremi.[2] I miei complimenti per il successo del tuo libro in Francia; buon lavoro per il prossimo!
Sempre tuo
Primo Levi
April 10, 1976
Dear Hermann,
No, unfortunately I will not be able to come to the meeting in Riva,[1] which I regret very much (how many years has it been since we last saw each other?). The issue is the health conditions of my mother, which are causing us worry: it is also for this reason that it took me 20 days to reply to your invitation. I have just written the same thing to Piasenti.
Thank you very much for the clippings you sent me: the news is not pleasant, and moreover, here in Italy, we are experiencing weeks of extreme distress and uncertainty.[2] I am happy for you about the success of your book in France; best wishes for your work on the next one!
Yours always
Primo Levi
Info
Notes
Tag
Sender: Primo Levi
Addressee: Hermann Langbein
Date of Drafting: 1976-04-10
Place of Writing: Turin
Description: typewritten letter on letterhead paper, handwritten signature in blue felt-tip pen, mm225x140.
[2]Italy had three different governments in 1976, two of which were headed by Aldo Moro. After the Socialist Party declared it would withdraw its external support, early that year Moro handed in the mandate of his fourth government but on February 12, 1976, the President of the Republic Giovanni Leone appointed him once again, in a climate of extreme political uncertainty. The fifth Moro government only lasted a few weeks; on April 30, the Prime Minister resigned and following early elections on June 20-21, the third Andreotti government was formed.