126. Brigitte Distler a Primo Levi, 31 dicembre 1964

31 dicembre 1964

Caro Dottor Levi!

quest’anno si chiude con una luminosa giornata d’inverno, e sono felice di poterLe scrivere e di farLe un regalo. Un regalo che mi è costato un bel po’ di rimuginio, perché temo che possa non farLe piacere. Mi è stato detto, infatti, che simili doni sono troppo personali, che i gemelli da polso “si” regalano solo a un fratello o a un caro amico.[1]

Devo confessare che a tutto questo non avevo pensato quando ho chiesto a una mia conoscente, un’orafa, di realizzare per Lei questi gemelli. Per me contava una cosa soltanto: che c’era una persona alla quale volevo fare un regalo. Qualunque nome le attribuissi – amico o fratello – in quel momento era irrilevante.

Forse sbaglio a pensare così; se è un errore, La prego di perdonarmi. La mia conoscente, che ha letto i Suoi libri, è stata molto contenta di poter lavorare per Lei e mi ha chiesto espressamente di scriverGlielo.

E adesso concludo, sperando per questa breve e tardiva lettera non La rattristi.

Con i più sinceri auguri per il nuovo anno e con tanti cordiali saluti,
Sua

Brigitte Distler

Dec. 31, 1964

Dear Mr. Levi!

A glorious winter’s day now brings this year to an end, and I am delighted to be able to write to you and give you a gift. This gift has caused me a lot of headaches, and I am afraid you may not be happy with it. I have been told that such a gift is too personal and that “one” only gives cufflinks to one’s brother or a very good friend.[1]

I must admit that I did not think about any of that when I asked my friend, a goldsmith, to make these cufflinks for you. For me, only one thing was important: that there is a person to whom I want to give a gift, and what name I give him—whether friend or brother—is at this moment entirely irrelevant.

But perhaps it is wrong to think this way, and if I am mistaken, I ask you to forgive me for this error. My friend, who knows your books, was very happy to be able to do something for you, and she expressly asked me to write this to you.

I will now sign off and hope that you are not upset about this short and belated letter.

With my sincerest wishes for the new year and warm regards, I remain,
Yours,

Brigitte Distler

31 Dez. 1964

Lieber Herr Dr.Levi!

Mit einem strahlenden Wintertag geht dieses Jahr zu Ende, und ich freue mich, daß ich Ihnen schreiben und etwas schenken darf. Dieses Geschenk an Sie hat mich viel Kopfzerbrechen gekostet, und ich habe Angst, Sie könnten sich darüber nicht freuen. Denn man sagte mir, ein solches Geschenk sei zu persönlich und „man” schenke Manschettenknöpfe nur dem Bruder oder einem sehr guten Freund.[1]

Ich muß gestehen, daß ich an all dies nicht gedacht habe, als ich meine Bekannte, eine Goldschmiedin, bat, mir für Sie diese Knöpfe anzufertigen. Für mich war nur eines wichtig: daß da ein Mensch ist, dem ich etwas schenken will, welchen Namen ich ihm gebe – ob Freund oder Bruder – ist in diesem Augenblick unwesentlich.

Aber vielleicht ist es falsch, so zu denken, und wenn ich mich irre, so bitte ich Sie, mir diesen Irrtum zu verzeihen. Meine Bekannte, die Ihre Bücher kennt, freute sich sehr, für Sie etwas arbeiten zu können, und sie hat mich ausdrücklich gebeten, Ihnen das zu schreiben.

Ich will nun schließen und hoffe, daß Sie über diesen kurzen und verspäteten Brief nicht traurig sind.

Mit den aufrichtigsten Wünschen für das neue Jahr und vielen herzlichen Grüßen bin ich

Ihre Brigitte Distler

Dec. 31, 1964

Dear Mr. Levi!

A glorious winter’s day now brings this year to an end, and I am delighted to be able to write to you and give you a gift. This gift has caused me a lot of headaches, and I am afraid you may not be happy with it. I have been told that such a gift is too personal and that “one” only gives cufflinks to one’s brother or a very good friend.[1]

I must admit that I did not think about any of that when I asked my friend, a goldsmith, to make these cufflinks for you. For me, only one thing was important: that there is a person to whom I want to give a gift, and what name I give him—whether friend or brother—is at this moment entirely irrelevant.

But perhaps it is wrong to think this way, and if I am mistaken, I ask you to forgive me for this error. My friend, who knows your books, was very happy to be able to do something for you, and she expressly asked me to write this to you.

I will now sign off and hope that you are not upset about this short and belated letter.

With my sincerest wishes for the new year and warm regards, I remain,
Yours,

Brigitte Distler