027. Primo Levi a Hermann Langbein 11 aprile 1972

11 aprile 1972

Caro Hermann,

quasi un anno fa avevo ricevuto dalla signora Schmitt-Maass il riassunto del tuo nuovo libro su Auschwitz: da allora l’ho letto e riletto diverse volte, con molta curiosità, interesse e soprattutto ammirazione per il tuo coraggio, per la tua pazienza e per la «fedeltà» al tuo passato ad Auschwitz.[1] Posso chiederti a che punto è il tuo lavoro? Non è solo per mio interesse personale (benché io sia impaziente di conoscere dalle tue pagine parecchi segreti del Lager), ma penso inoltre che, in Europa e in particolar modo in Italia, un libro su Auschwitz sarebbe, in questo momento, altamente necessario, e tu sai bene perché.[2]

Stasera sono venuto a conoscenza attraverso la TV della condanna di Bosshammer: congratulazioni! Cosa ne è del processo Schindler?[3] Se non mi sbaglio, ti avevo dato i nomi delle testimoni Giuliana Tedeschi ed Elena Napolitano: se sei ancora in tempo, forse potresti rivolgerti anche alla signora Luciana Momigliano, via dei Chiostri 1, MILANO, e alla signora Bianca Morpurgo, (indirizzo ignoto)[4] GENOVA.[5]

Arrivederci a presto, e nell’attesa di tue nuove ti stringo la mano con viva cordialità.

Primo Levi

April 11, 1972

Dear Hermann,

Almost one year ago, I received from Mrs. Schmitt-Maass the summary of your new book about Auschwitz: since then, I have read and reread it several times, with much curiosity, interest, and above all admiration for your courage, your patience, and your “faithfulness” to your past as an Auschwitzian.[1] May I ask you how far along you are with the book? This is not just personal interest on my part (although I am impatient to learn many secrets of the camp through your pages), but I also think that, in Europe and especially in Italy, a book on Auschwitz would be very necessary at this time, and you certainly know why.[2]

I have just learned this evening on TV of the conviction of Bosshammer: congratulations! What is happening with the Schindler trial?[3] If I am not mistaken, I gave you the names of the witnesses Mrs. Giuliana Tedeschi and Elena Napolitano: if there is still time, perhaps you could also speak to Mrs. Luciana Momigliano, via dei Chiostri 1, MILANO, and to Mrs. Bianca Morpurgo, (address unknown)[4] GENOVA.[5]

See you soon, and, looking forward to hearing from you, I warmly shake your hand.

Primo Levi

11 Avril 1972

Cher Hermann,

il y-a presqu’un an, j’avais reçu par M.me Schmitt-Maass le résumé de ton nouveau livre sur Auschwitz: depuis lors, je l’ai lu et relu plusieurs fois, avec bien de curiosité, d’intérêt, et surtout d’admiration pour ton courage, ta patience et ta «fidélité» à ton passé d’Auschwitzien.[1] Est-ce que je peux te demander à quel point est ton travail? Ce n’est pas seulement de ma part un intérêt personnel (bien que je soie impatient de connaître à travers tes pages bien des secrets du Lager), mais je pense aussi que, en Europe et tout particulièrement en Italie, un livre sur Auschwitz serait en ce moment tout-à-fait nécéssaire, et tu sais bien pourquoi.[2]

Je viens d’apprendre ce soir à la TV de la condamnation de Bosshammer: félicitations! Qu’est-ce qui se passe avec le procès Schindler?[3] Si je ne me trompe, je t’avais donné les noms des témoins M.me Giuliana Tedeschi et Elena Napolitano: s’il est encore temps, tu pourrais peut-être t’adresser àussi à Mme Luciana Momigliano, via dei Chiostri 1, MILANO, et à Mme Bianca Morpurgo, [4] GENOVA.[5]

À bientôt te revoir, et dans l’attente de tes nouvelles, je te serre bien cordialement la main.

Primo Levi

April 11, 1972

Dear Hermann,

Almost one year ago, I received from Mrs. Schmitt-Maass the summary of your new book about Auschwitz: since then, I have read and reread it several times, with much curiosity, interest, and above all admiration for your courage, your patience, and your “faithfulness” to your past as an Auschwitzian.[1] May I ask you how far along you are with the book? This is not just personal interest on my part (although I am impatient to learn many secrets of the camp through your pages), but I also think that, in Europe and especially in Italy, a book on Auschwitz would be very necessary at this time, and you certainly know why.[2]

I have just learned this evening on TV of the conviction of Bosshammer: congratulations! What is happening with the Schindler trial?[3] If I am not mistaken, I gave you the names of the witnesses Mrs. Giuliana Tedeschi and Elena Napolitano: if there is still time, perhaps you could also speak to Mrs. Luciana Momigliano, via dei Chiostri 1, MILANO, and to Mrs. Bianca Morpurgo, (address unknown)[4] GENOVA.[5]

See you soon, and, looking forward to hearing from you, I warmly shake your hand.

Primo Levi