062. Hermann Langbein a Primo Levi, 22 marzo 1986

Vienna, 22 marzo 1986

Sign.
Dott. Primo Levi
Corso Re Umberto 75
Torino

Caro amico,

sono stato molto, molto felice e immensamente sorpreso quando ieri la casa editrice Hanser mi ha fatto recapitare la traduzione in tedesco del tuo libro.[1] Sono felice che sia apparso, ben curato, nella nostra lingua, e che anche stavolta tu non ti sia dimenticato di me. Grazie!

È tanto tempo che non ho tue notizie. Spero che le cose da voi adesso vadano meglio e che tu possa avere un attimo di respiro.[2] Ho ricevuto un invito da Bruno Vasari per la fine di ottobre e ho accettato, soprattutto perché potrebbe essere l’occasione per rincontrarti – e per parlare di nuovo con te.

Sto sistematicamente perdendo colpi: non scrivo più, a parte qualche articolo di tanto in tanto. Come sempre, vado spesso nelle scuole; ogni volta che parlo con i giovani ho la sensazione di poter dare aiuto e consigli.[3] E poiché mi è chiaro che anche questa attività finirà presto, sono riuscito a far registrare delle videocassette che sono già state approvate dal nostro ministero dell’Istruzione e sono già in uso nelle scuole. Allego un breve prospetto degli incontri che, insieme a qualche ritaglio di giornale, dimostra come qua e là continuo a prendere la parola.

Domani andrò a Dachau per un giorno. Vogliono costruire un centro internazionale per i giovani, e le autorità locali creano difficoltà. L’intervento di un comitato internazionale potrebbe aiutare.

Saluti forti e cari come sempre

Tuo

Hermann

Vienna, March 22, 1986

Mr.
Primo Levi
Corso Re Umberto 75
Torino

Caro amico,

I was very, very happy and extremely surprised when Hanser-Verlag sent me the German translation of your book yesterday.[1] I’m glad it has been published in our language, that it is well designed, and that once again you have not forgotten me. Thanks!

I have not heard from you in a while. I hope things there are going better now and you can breathe a sigh of relief.[2] I have received an invitation from Bruno Vasari at the end of October and I have said yes, especially since it might mean seeing—and speaking with—you again.

I am systematically cutting back on things here: I do not write anymore—apart from the occasional article. As before, I still do school visits fairly often; every conversation with young people gives me the feeling I can offer help and advice.[3] And because it is clear to me that this, too, will soon have to end, I have managed to have videotapes recorded; they have already been approved by our Ministry of Education and are being used in schools. I am enclosing a brief overview of all this, as well as newspaper clippings that show how I still speak up here and there.

Tomorrow I am going to Dachau for the day. They want to set up an international youth-outreach meeting center there, and are having difficulties with local authorities. So an international board of trustees should help.

As always, sending my warmest, most heartfelt greetings,

Yours,

Hermann

Wien, den 22. März 1986

Sign.
Dott. Primo Levi
Corso Re Umberto 75
Torino

Caro amico,

Ich war sehr, sehr froh und ungemein überrascht, als gestern der Hanser-Verlag mir die deutsche Übersetzung Deines Buches schickte.[1] Ich freue mich, dass es in unserer Sprache erschienen ist, gut ausgestattet, und dass Du wieder nicht auf mich vergessen hast. Danke!

Länger habe ich nicht mehr von Dir gehört. Hoffentlich gehts nun schon besser bei Euch und Du kannst aufatmen.[2] Ich habe eine Einladung für Ende Oktober von Bruno Vasari bekommen und habe zugesagt, vor allem auch, weil es ein Wiedersehen – und wieder sprechen – mit Dir bringen kann.

Ich baue hier systematisch ab: Schreiben tu ich nicht mehr – von gelegentlichen Artikeln abgesehen. Nach wie vor gehe ich häufig in Schulen; jedes Gespräch mit jungen Menschen gibt mir das Gefühl, helfen und raten zu können.[3] Und weil mir klar ist, dass auch diese Tätigkeit bald beendet sein muss, habe ich erreicht, dass Video-Bänder aufgenommen wurden, die bereits von unserem Unterrichtsministerium approbiert und in den Schulen eingesetzt sind.
Kurze Übersicht darüber lege ich bei, ebenso Zeitungsausschnitte, die zeigen, dass ich noch da und dort mich zu Wort melde.

Morgen fahre ich für einen Tag nach Dachau. Dort wollen sie eine internationale Jugend-Begegnungsstätte errichten und haben Schwierigkeiten von örtlichen Stellen. Also soll ein international zusammengesetztes Kuratorium helfen.

Fest und herzlich wie immer grüsst Dich

Dein

Hermann

Vienna, March 22, 1986

Mr.
Primo Levi
Corso Re Umberto 75
Torino

Caro amico,

I was very, very happy and extremely surprised when Hanser-Verlag sent me the German translation of your book yesterday.[1] I’m glad it has been published in our language, that it is well designed, and that once again you have not forgotten me. Thanks!

I have not heard from you in a while. I hope things there are going better now and you can breathe a sigh of relief.[2] I have received an invitation from Bruno Vasari at the end of October and I have said yes, especially since it might mean seeing—and speaking with—you again.

I am systematically cutting back on things here: I do not write anymore—apart from the occasional article. As before, I still do school visits fairly often; every conversation with young people gives me the feeling I can offer help and advice.[3] And because it is clear to me that this, too, will soon have to end, I have managed to have videotapes recorded; they have already been approved by our Ministry of Education and are being used in schools. I am enclosing a brief overview of all this, as well as newspaper clippings that show how I still speak up here and there.

Tomorrow I am going to Dachau for the day. They want to set up an international youth-outreach meeting center there, and are having difficulties with local authorities. So an international board of trustees should help.

As always, sending my warmest, most heartfelt greetings,

Yours,

Hermann