195. Emil Davidovič a Primo Levi, 30 agosto 1984

Bad Kissingen, 30 agosto 1984

Caro amico Primo,

sono ormai anni che non abbiamo più avuto notizie l’uno dell’altro. Spero davvero che tu e la tua cara famiglia stiate bene. Se ricordo bene, ormai sei in pensione. Sono certo, però, che continui la tua attività letteraria. Io continuo a esercitare la mia professione come ho sempre fatto. Purtroppo ci sono pochissimi giovani di lingua tedesca disposti a raccogliere il testimone, e così devo andare avanti, anche se io e mia moglie avremmo voluto trascorrere gli anni della vecchiaia accanto ai nostri figli e ai nostri nipoti in America. Forse possiamo ancora riuscirci. Per quanto riguarda la salute, non abbiamo disturbi particolari, a parte gli inevitabili acciacchi dell’età. Mi farebbe molto piacere vederti di nuovo[1] e fare due chiacchiere sul periodo di sofferenza che abbiamo condiviso. Naturalmente mi interessa molto anche sapere come trascorri la tua vita oggi e conoscere la tua attività letteraria.[2] Non credo che mi sarà possibile venire in Italia in un prossimo futuro; ma forse un giorno sarà la tua strada a portarti da noi, qui in Germany. Auguriamo a te e alla tua cara famiglia ogni bene per il nuovo anno 5745.

Con i più cordiali saluti,

tuo

Em Davidovic[3]

Bad Kissingen, August 30, 1984

My dear friend Primo!

It has been years since we last heard from each other. I sincerely hope that you and your dear family are doing well. If I recall correctly, you are already retired. But I am sure you are still active in the literary world. I am still working in my profession, just as I always have. Unfortunately, there are very few young German-speaking trainees coming up in my field, so I have to keep going, even though we would have loved to spend our retirement with our children and grandchildren in America. Perhaps that will still happen someday. Health-wise, we have no major complaints, aside from the usual aches and pains of old age. I would love to see you again[1] and chat a bit about the hard times we went through together. Of course, I am also very interested in your current life and your literary work.[2] I do not think I shall be coming to Italy anytime soon, but perhaps your path will lead you to us here in Germany. We wish you and your dear family all the best for the new year 5745.

Yours,

Em Davidovic[3]

Bad Kissingen, 30.8.1984

Lieber Freund Primo!

Es sind schon Jahre her, daß wir voneinander nichts mehr gehört haben. Ich hoffe fest, daß es Dir und Deiner lieben Familie gut geht. Wenn ich mich gut erinnere, bist Du schon im Ruhestand. Sicherlich bist Du aber weiterhin literarisch tätig. Ich arbeite noch immer in meinem Berufe wie bis jetzt. Leider gibt es sehr wenig deutschsprachigen Nachwuchs, so muß ich weitermachen, obwohl wir unseren Lebensabend gern mit unseren Kindern und Enkelkindern in Amerika verbracht hätten. Vielleicht wird es noch dazu kommen. Gesundheitlich haben wir keine größeren Beschwerden, außer der altersüblichen Wehwehchen. Gern möchte ich Dich no[1] sehen und ein wenig über die gemeinsame Leidenszeit plaudern. Natürlich interessiert mich sehr auch Dein jetztiges Leben und Deine literarische Tätigkeit.[2] Ich glaube nicht, daß ich in absehbarer Zeit nach Italien kommen werde, aber vielleicht führt Dich Dein Weg zu uns nach Germany. Wir wünschen Dir und Deiner lieben Familie alles Gute zum neuen Jahr 5745. Freundlichst

Dein

Em Davidovic[3]

Bad Kissingen, August 30, 1984

My dear friend Primo!

It has been years since we last heard from each other. I sincerely hope that you and your dear family are doing well. If I recall correctly, you are already retired. But I am sure you are still active in the literary world. I am still working in my profession, just as I always have. Unfortunately, there are very few young German-speaking trainees coming up in my field, so I have to keep going, even though we would have loved to spend our retirement with our children and grandchildren in America. Perhaps that will still happen someday. Health-wise, we have no major complaints, aside from the usual aches and pains of old age. I would love to see you again[1] and chat a bit about the hard times we went through together. Of course, I am also very interested in your current life and your literary work.[2] I do not think I shall be coming to Italy anytime soon, but perhaps your path will lead you to us here in Germany. We wish you and your dear family all the best for the new year 5745.

Yours,

Em Davidovic[3]