061. Hermann Langbein a Primo Levi, 9 febbraio 1985

Vienna, 9 febbraio 1985

Sign.
Dott. Primo Levi
Corso Re Umberto 75
Torino

Caro amico,

ho saputo che sei stato invitato a Taranto per la presentazione del mio libro il 13 aprile. Sarei molto felice se tu fossi già nelle condizioni di poterti spostare; e lo sarei doppiamente se accettassi l’invito.

Ne approfitto per chiederti di farmi sapere come stai. Ho ancora bene a mente le nostre conversazioni.

In occasione del 40° anniversario della Liberazione di Auschwitz, abbiamo presentato alla stampa un breve compendio su Auschwitz e abbiamo colto l’occasione per parlare ai giovani (nelle Università e all’Istituto pedagogico) delle cause che hanno reso possibile Auschwitz. Mi sembra questo il modo più sensato per celebrare una simile ricorrenza.

Naturalmente, in quella circostanza, abbiamo anche protestato contro la condotta inqualificabile del nostro ministro della Difesa nel caso Reder[1] e abbiamo chiesto le sue dimissioni.

E adesso un’altra comunicazione, accompagnata da una preghiera.

Su richiesta di Bruno Vasari, ho scritto un articolo sulla differenza fondamentale tra i campi di concentramento nazionalsocialisti[2] e tutte le altre istituzioni analoghe, e ti sarei grato se potessi dare un’occhiata alla traduzione;[3] sappiamo che è proprio nei termini tecnici che possono facilmente insinuarsi degli errori quando a tradurre è qualcuno che non ha familiarità con il gergo dei Lager.

I miei auguri e saluti più cari.
Come sempre tuo

Hermann

Allegato: documenti su Auschwitz[4]

Vienna, February 9, 1985

Mr.
Primo Levi
Corso Re Umberto 75
Torino

Caro amico,

I heard you have been invited to Taranto for my book launch on April 13. It would make me so happy if you were mobile again already, and doubly so if you accepted the invitation.

I will take this opportunity to ask that you please write me how you’re doing. I still remember our conversations well.

On the occasion of the 40^th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, we gave a brief overview to the press and also used the opportunity to talk to young people (at universities and an educational institute) about the factors that made Auschwitz possible. It struck me as the most sensible way to mark such an anniversary.

Of course, we also took the opportunity to denounce the indefensible behavior of our defense minister in the Reder Affair[1] and demanded his resignation.

And here is yet another bit of news, plus a request:

At Bruno Vasari’s request, I have written an article about the fundamental difference between the National Socialist concentration camps[2] and all other similar institutions, and would be grateful if you could check the translation;[3] we know that, especially with technical terminology, errors can easily creep in when it is translated by someone unfamiliar with camp jargon.

My best wishes and most heartfelt greetings,
As always, yours,

Hermann

Enclosure: Auschwitz documents[4]

Wien, den 9. Feber 1985

Sign.
Dott. Primo Levi
Corso Re Umberto 75
Torino

Caro amico,

Ich habe erfahren, dass Du eingeladen wurdest, bei der Präsentation meines Buches am 13. 4. nach Taranto zu kommen. Es würde mich sehr freuen, wenn Du jetzt schon wieder beweglich bist; und dann doppelt, wenn Du die Einladung annehmen würdest.

Ich nütze die Gelegenheit, um Dich zu bitten, mich wissen zu lassen, wie es Dir geht. Unsere Gespräche sind mir noch gut in Erinnerung.

Wir haben hier anlässlich des 40. Jahrestages der Befreiung von Auschwitz eine knappe Zusammenstellung über Auschwitz der Presse übergeben und die Gelegenheit benützt, um mit der Jugend (an den Universitäten und im pädagogischen Institut) ins Gespräch auch über die Ursachen zu kommen, welche ein Auschwitz ermöglicht hatten. Das scheint mir die sinnvollste Art, so einen Jahrestag zu begehen.

Natürlich haben wird auch bei dieser Gelegenheit gegen das unqualifizierbare Verhalten unseres Verteidigungsministers in der Affäre Reder[1] protestiert und seinen Rücktritt verlangt.

Und noch eine Mitteilung, die mit einer Bitte verbunden ist:

Ich habe auf Wunsch von Bruno Vasari einen Artikel über den grundsätzlichen Unterschied der nationalsozialistischen Konzentrationslager[2] zu allen anderen ähnlichen Einrichtungen geschrieben und wäre dankbar, wenn Du dessen Übersetzung ansehen könntest;[3] wir wissen, dass gerade in den Fachausdrücken sich leicht Irrtümer einschleichen können, wenn ein des Lagerjargons Unkundigen zu übersetzen hat.

Meine besten Wünsche und Herzlichsten Grüsse
Wie immer Dein

Hermann

Beilage: Unterlagen über Auschwitz[4]

Vienna, February 9, 1985

Mr.
Primo Levi
Corso Re Umberto 75
Torino

Caro amico,

I heard you have been invited to Taranto for my book launch on April 13. It would make me so happy if you were mobile again already, and doubly so if you accepted the invitation.

I will take this opportunity to ask that you please write me how you’re doing. I still remember our conversations well.

On the occasion of the 40^th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, we gave a brief overview to the press and also used the opportunity to talk to young people (at universities and an educational institute) about the factors that made Auschwitz possible. It struck me as the most sensible way to mark such an anniversary.

Of course, we also took the opportunity to denounce the indefensible behavior of our defense minister in the Reder Affair[1] and demanded his resignation.

And here is yet another bit of news, plus a request:

At Bruno Vasari’s request, I have written an article about the fundamental difference between the National Socialist concentration camps[2] and all other similar institutions, and would be grateful if you could check the translation;[3] we know that, especially with technical terminology, errors can easily creep in when it is translated by someone unfamiliar with camp jargon.

My best wishes and most heartfelt greetings,
As always, yours,

Hermann

Enclosure: Auschwitz documents[4]