On the eve of World War II, when German and Austrian Jewish refugees had nowhere to take refuge, China extended a helping hand and received a large number of Jewish refugees. During their time in exile in China, the Jewish exiles were truly exposed to Chinese customs, breaking down stereotypes about China and developing a new and more authentic understanding of it. They carried out a wealth of cultural activities in Shanghai and other parts of China, such as literary creation, publication and theater performances, which not only united the Jewish exiles in China and helped them integrate into Chinese society, but also added color to the local cultural life.
The Story of China in German Jewish Exiles collects and translates essays and poems from Jewish exile newspapers and periodicals (such as the Shanghai Jewish Chronicle, the Eight O'clock Evening News, the Jewish Information, etc.). The book also includes letters written by the Jewish-German writer and dramatist Max Ludwig Mohr to his wife during his travels to and during his stay in China. These works were written by Jewish exiles in China, which not only present many aspects of their lives and psychology, but also help readers understand the understanding of Chinese culture by German-speaking Jewish exiles at that time, and provide new materials and new ideas for the study of Jewish exile history and literature in China, which is of great significance for strengthening China's cultural self-confidence construction and foreign cultural exchanges and cooperation.
The Story of China in the Writings of German-Speaking Jewish Exiles, edited by Qi Jiafu and Xu Guanqun, published by the Commercial Press.
Selected readings: In Shanghai, everything starts from scratch.
Shanghai, December 27, 1934.
The one and only woman I love, the only woman, I love you so much that I have to fight against the deep longing for you and Eva. I often have a strong urge to jump on the Trans-Siberian Express and get back to you right away. Oh God, after just going through the rough seas, just recovering from terrible bad years of two, three, four or more terrible years, after the first week of drunken gold, now it's just beginning. This means that I am happy to give up this intoxication with Shanghai, but it is pushing me everywhere. I was doing what others asked me to do, step by step, looking for opportunities that belonged to me. And in the end, I did what crazy and terrible things I did to you. I feel like doing something to you is like a witch's madness. It remained in the deepest part of the sea, gone, and only the love for you and the concern for you remained. Every time I see the beauty of the world, my heart aches for your absence; Whenever I encounter hardship, what concerns me is your worries. But life has meaning because of you, so get on with it. I thought, I'll stay in Shanghai first, Fogle people are nice, even if it's neurotic. We have experienced many unpleasantness together, but we should not regret it. Is that right? It had to be like that. Including writing. You're always right, I have to be a doctor before I can write better. You're all right, but I have to take a detour. I'm deep, vibrant, and indestructible again, and even if I'm going to struggle through the gruesome and chaotic weeks now, it could be months. I'm not scared at all, I'm going to start from scratch and slowly open the clinic. But time is a big issue. The most important thing is that I am worried about you. I have to count every penny. Advertising, brass plates, rent, tips, clothes, instruments, two bamboo beds, mattresses, curtains, kitchen utensils, a total of about 10 marks. Arctic hair dryers, cabinets and shelves mounted everywhere. There are also some things for the waiting room. This kind of entrepreneurship without money is really peculiar. But next week I had to pull out a few hundred marks, and the diamonds were in Fogel's safe. I don't know in**. But it must be somewhere.
P.S. A Chinese poem: I think it's so beautiful, though you might need seven ancient Chinese characters, "Night, wake up, snow in front of bed?" Ah, no, it's the moon, I'm far away, missing the old village". Cheer up, take care of yourself, for me, for you and for Eva, I want nothing more. I don't mind having to start all over again at the age of 43. I will try to be a doctor with God's help and with pleasure. We're still young, my only favorite blue-eyed baby, life is long, you'll see it for yourself. Take care, two favorites.
Author: Editor: Jiang Chuting Responsible Editor: Zhu Zifen.