024. Primo Levi a Hermann Langbein, 15 gennaio 1970

15/1/1970

Caro Hermann,

la ringrazio molto per la Sua del 3 corrente mese: no, purtroppo devo confermarLe che non potrò intervenire alla manifestazione di Bruxelles. Ho appena letto il testo dell’Appello: condivido in pieno la vostra protesta e La prego di aggiungere la mia firma a quella degli altri compagni.

Ho scavato a fondo nella mia memoria, ma non sono riuscito a trovare nessun italiano deportato ad Auschwitz che sia, come dice lei, conosciuto oltreconfine: lo sa bene, eravamo solo qualche decina alla Liberazione, e la nostra pattuglia si è ridotta ancora.

Le auguro un felice 1970 e Le stringo fraternamente la mano

Primo Levi

1/15/1970

Dear Hermann,

Thank you very much for your letter of the 3^rd of this month: no, unfortunately I must confirm that I will not be able to speak at the event in Brussels. I have just read the text of the Appeal: I am quite in agreement with your statement of protest, and I request that you add my signature to those of our other comrades.

I have scoured my memory, but I haven’t been able to find any Italian Auschwitzian who would be, as you say, known beyond our borders: as you know quite well, there were only about ten of us at the Liberation, and our numbers have been further reduced.

I wish you a happy 1970, and I shake your hand in brotherhood

Primo Levi

15/1/1970

Cher Hermann,

je vous remercie bien de votre lettre du 3 courant: non, malheureusement je dois vous confirmer que je ne pourrai pas intervenir à la manifestation de Bruxelles. Je viens de lire le texte de l’Appel: je me trouve bien d’accord avec votre protestation, et je vous prie d’ajouter ma signature à celle des autres camarades.

J’ai bien fouillé dans ma mémoire, mais je ne suis pas parvenu à trouver aucun Auschwitzien italien qui soit, comme vous le dites, connu au-delà de la frontière: vous le savez bien, nous n’étions que quelque dizaine lors de la Libération, et notre patrouille s’est encore reduite.

Je vous souhaite un heureux 1970, et je vous serre fraternellement la main

Primo Levi

1/15/1970

Dear Hermann,

Thank you very much for your letter of the 3^rd of this month: no, unfortunately I must confirm that I will not be able to speak at the event in Brussels. I have just read the text of the Appeal: I am quite in agreement with your statement of protest, and I request that you add my signature to those of our other comrades.

I have scoured my memory, but I haven’t been able to find any Italian Auschwitzian who would be, as you say, known beyond our borders: as you know quite well, there were only about ten of us at the Liberation, and our numbers have been further reduced.

I wish you a happy 1970, and I shake your hand in brotherhood

Primo Levi