Levi regretfully declines the invitation to the event organized in Brussels (January 25, 1970) to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Liberation of Auschwitz.
14/12/1969
M. Hermann Langbein
Comité International des Camps
Weigandhof 5
A-1100 WIEN
Cher Hermann,
je vous remercie bien de votre invitation: il ne me sera malheureusement pas possible d’être présent à Bruxelles au 25 Janvier, ce que je regrette d’autant plus, qu’il est vraiment trop longtemps que je ne vous ai vu, et qu’il aurait été très agréable pour moi d’avoir finalement l’occasion de rencontrer Kogon et Améry,[1] que je ne connais que par leur livres.
Il va sans dire que j’adhère tout de même avec enthousiasme à la «Kundgebung», et que je serai heureux d’apposer ma signature au Manifeste que vous voudrez m’envoyer.
Je vous serre bien cordialement la main
Primo Levi
14/12/1969
Sig. Hermann Langbein
Comité International des Camps
Weigandhof 5
A-1100 WIEN
Caro Hermann,
La ringrazio per l’invito: purtroppo non potrò essere presente a Bruxelles il 25 gennaio, e me ne rammarico soprattutto perché è moltissimo tempo che non La vedo, e mi sarebbe stato assai gradito incontrare finalmente Kogon e Améry,[1] che conosco solo attraverso i loro libri.
Va da sé che aderisco ugualmente con entusiasmo all’iniziativa e sarò felice di apporre la mia firma al Manifesto che vorrà mandarmi.
Le stringo la mano con viva cordialità
Primo Levi
12/14/1969
Mr. Hermann Langbein
International Committee of the Camps
Weigandhof 5
A-1100 WIEN
Dear Hermann,
Thank you very much for your invitation: unfortunately I will not be able to be present in Brussels on January 25, which I regret, especially since it has really been too long since I have seen you, and it would have been very nice for me to finally have a chance to meet Kogon and Améry,[1] whom I know only through their books.
It goes without saying that all the same I enthusiastically join the rally and that I will be happy to sign the Manifesto if you send it to me.
I warmly shake your hand
Primo Levi
14/12/1969
M. Hermann Langbein
Comité International des Camps
Weigandhof 5
A-1100 WIEN
Cher Hermann,
je vous remercie bien de votre invitation: il ne me sera malheureusement pas possible d’être présent à Bruxelles au 25 Janvier, ce que je regrette d’autant plus, qu’il est vraiment trop longtemps que je ne vous ai vu, et qu’il aurait été très agréable pour moi d’avoir finalement l’occasion de rencontrer Kogon et Améry,[1] que je ne connais que par leur livres.
Il va sans dire que j’adhère tout de même avec enthousiasme à la «Kundgebung», et que je serai heureux d’apposer ma signature au Manifeste que vous voudrez m’envoyer.
Je vous serre bien cordialement la main
Primo Levi
14/12/1969
Sig. Hermann Langbein
Comité International des Camps
Weigandhof 5
A-1100 WIEN
Caro Hermann,
La ringrazio per l’invito: purtroppo non potrò essere presente a Bruxelles il 25 gennaio, e me ne rammarico soprattutto perché è moltissimo tempo che non La vedo, e mi sarebbe stato assai gradito incontrare finalmente Kogon e Améry,[1] che conosco solo attraverso i loro libri.
Va da sé che aderisco ugualmente con entusiasmo all’iniziativa e sarò felice di apporre la mia firma al Manifesto che vorrà mandarmi.
Le stringo la mano con viva cordialità
Primo Levi
12/14/1969
Mr. Hermann Langbein
International Committee of the Camps
Weigandhof 5
A-1100 WIEN
Dear Hermann,
Thank you very much for your invitation: unfortunately I will not be able to be present in Brussels on January 25, which I regret, especially since it has really been too long since I have seen you, and it would have been very nice for me to finally have a chance to meet Kogon and Améry,[1] whom I know only through their books.
It goes without saying that all the same I enthusiastically join the rally and that I will be happy to sign the Manifesto if you send it to me.
I warmly shake your hand
Primo Levi
Info
Notes
Tag
Sender: Primo Levi
Addressee: Hermann Langbein
Date of Drafting: 1969-12-14
Place of Writing: Turin
Description: typewritten letter on letterhead paper, handwritten signature in blue ballpoint pen, mm225x140.
Letterhead: PRIMO LEVI | CORSO RE UMBERTO 75 | 10128 TORINO | Tel. (011) 584.677
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15160/Z2YP-7P88
1
Eugen Kogon (1903-1987), the author of Der SS-Staat: das System der deutschen Konzentrationslager, Frankfurt a.M.: Verlag der Frankfurter hefte, 1946. Levi only met him in 1983, in Turin, at the conference Il dovere di testimoniare (cf. letter 055 and ff). Jean Améry (1912-1978), who, in 1966, the year he published
Jenseits von Schuld und Sühne. Bewältigungsversuche eines Überwältigten (later translated into Italian as Intellettuale ad Auschwitz [An Intellectual at Auschwitz]), had begun corresponding with Levi, cf. Jean Améry’s Biography.
