The first part of the event will feature a discussion with the renowned Dutch writer Jessica Durlacher and the translator Babette Lichtenstein. Both women share a family background in Chemnitz: Jessica Durlacher's grandmother (Erna Sofie Solomonica) was friends with Babette Lichtenstein's father (Hans Lichtenstein) from their school days. The contact between the two lasted until their exile in the Netherlands in the 1930s and early 1940s. The meeting between Jessica Durlacher and Babette Lichtenstein in Chemnitz (neither of them knew each other and had never met before) is intended to provide an impetus for continuing the dialogue and friendship between the two families. The discussion will focus on both their literary work and their family histories.
The evening will conclude with the German premiere of the documentary film "Neshoma" by award-winning Dutch director Sandra Beerends. "Neshoma" (Hebrew for "soul") weaves together old archive footage from the first half of the 20th century of the life of the Jewish community in Amsterdam to create a fictional and moving story. Remarkably, the archive footage used also includes short film sequences of Hans Lichtenstein in his role as conductor of the Fritz Hirsch operetta.
The event is taking place as part of a meeting of relatives and descendants of Jewish families who were once expelled from Chemnitz. This year, people from Germany, Switzerland, England, the Netherlands and Israel are taking part.
