020. Hermann Langbein a Primo Levi, 5 marzo 1965

Francoforte, 5 marzo 1965

Signor
Primo Levi
Torino
Corso Re Umberto 75

Caro amigo,

ho letto con grande dispiacere del Suo rifiuto. Non Le sarebbe possibile partecipare almeno alla prima parte della delegazione? Ad Auschwitz le cerimonie non inizieranno certo prima del 10 aprile; l’8 aprile potrebbe tranquillamente prendere un volo dalla Germania a Varsavia.

Spero davvero che i miei timori – che le celebrazioni di Auschwitz siano strumentalizzate dalla politica, anziché fare del bene alle vittime – siano ingiustificati. Le mie esperienze, anche in tempi recenti, sono state mediocri. Allego l’estratto di un bollettino dei sindacati tedeschi sull’argomento.[1]

Il processo di Auschwitz non è ancora finito.[2] Negli ultimi tempi, purtroppo, ci sono stati ritardi anche perché molti testimoni, soprattutto polacchi, non si sono presentati. Quanto questo vada a uso e vantaggio della difesa non faticherà a immaginarlo.

Con i miei migliori saluti
Suo

Frankfurt, March 5, 1965

Mr.
Primo Levi
Torino
Corso Re Umberto 75

Caro amigo,

I was truly sorry to read that you decline the invitation. Might it at least be possible for you to participate in the first part of the delegation? The events in Auschwitz only begin on April 10; surely on April 8 you could easily fly from Germany on to Warsaw.

I only hope my fears are unjustified—namely, that the celebrations in Auschwitz will take on a character that would suit current politics, but not the notions held by all the victims. My recent experiences have not been the best. I am enclosing a relevant excerpt from a bulletin of the German trade unions.[1]

The Auschwitz trial has not yet ended.[2] Unfortunately, it has been delayed recently because several witnesses—especially those from Poland—have not appeared. Just how much this benefits the defense—and how they will use it to their benefit—I am sure you can imagine.

With best regards,
Yours

Frankfurt, den 5. März 1965

Herrn
Primo Levi
Torino
Corso Re Umberto 75

Caro amigo,

Mir hat es recht leid getan, Ihre Absage lesen zu müssen. Wäre es nicht doch möglich, dass Sie zumindest am ersten Teil der Delegation teilnehmen? Die Veranstaltungen in Auschwitz fangen wohl erst gegen den 10. 4. an; am 8. 4. könnten Sie ohne weiteres von Deutschland nach Varsovie weiterfliegen.

Ich hoffe nur, dass meine Befürchtungen ungerechtfertigt sind, dass die Feiern in Auschwitz nämlich einen Charakter bekommen, der wohl einer Tagespolitik, nicht aber dem Gedanken aller Opfer zuträglich wäre. Meine Erfahrungen auch in der jüngsten Zeit sind nicht die besten. Ich lege einen Ausschnitt eines Bulletins der Deutschen Gewerkschaften dazu bei.[1]

Der Auschwitz-Prozess ist noch immer nicht am Ende.[2] In der letzten Zeit wird er leider auch dadurch verzögert, dass viele Zeugen – vor allem aus Polen – nicht erschienen sind. Wie sehr das der Verteidigung nützt – und wie es von ihr genützt wird – können Sie sich sicher vorstellen.

Mit besten Grüssen
Ihr

Frankfurt, March 5, 1965

Mr.
Primo Levi
Torino
Corso Re Umberto 75

Caro amigo,

I was truly sorry to read that you decline the invitation. Might it at least be possible for you to participate in the first part of the delegation? The events in Auschwitz only begin on April 10; surely on April 8 you could easily fly from Germany on to Warsaw.

I only hope my fears are unjustified—namely, that the celebrations in Auschwitz will take on a character that would suit current politics, but not the notions held by all the victims. My recent experiences have not been the best. I am enclosing a relevant excerpt from a bulletin of the German trade unions.[1]

The Auschwitz trial has not yet ended.[2] Unfortunately, it has been delayed recently because several witnesses—especially those from Poland—have not appeared. Just how much this benefits the defense—and how they will use it to their benefit—I am sure you can imagine.

With best regards,
Yours