Letter from <persName ref="http://d-nb.info/gnd/119365863">Arie Goral</persName> to <persName ref="http://d-nb.info/gnd/117321265">Erich Lüth</persName>, <placeName ref="http://vocab.getty.edu/tgn/7134067">Munich</placeName>, <date when="1953-01-17">January 17, 1953</date> Institute for the History of the German Jewsredaktion@juedische-geschichte-online.net
Beim Schlump 83, 20144 Hamburg

Archive of the Hamburg Institue for Social Research, Collection Arie Goral, GOR_160,13_Goral an Lüth_17011953. With kind permission.

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The exchange of correspondence between Arie Goral and the head of the State Press Office Staatliche Pressestelle in Hamburg, Erich Lüth, documents Goral's efforts toward being able to show the exhibition entitled “Kindermalereien aus Israel” [“Children’s Paintings from Israel”] in Hamburg. Choosing Hamburg as a venue for the exhibition, curated by Goralalso meant returning to the city from which he had been expelled by the National Socialists. At the same time, the organizational questions clarified in the reciprocal letters also point to more general aspects of the relationship to Germany and of dealing with the past. An overview of the letters can be found here.

Arie GoralMünchenJanuary 17, 1953Hamburger Institut für SozialforschungGOR_160,13_Goral an Lüth_17011953 EnglishSource:Textdeu
W. A. Sternheim (A. Goral) Munich 22, January 17, 53 Kaulbachstr. 11a c/o. International Youth Library Internationale JugendbibliothekMr.Erich LüthDirector of the State Press OfficeStaatliche PressestelleHamburg 20Erikastr. 140 Dear Mr. Lüth,I would like to take the liberty of sending you an invitation to the openingof an exhibition entitled “Kindermalereien aus Israel” [“Children’s Paintings from Israel”]as well as a circular about the events associatedwith this exhibition.

Even though there is hardly any chance that you,dear Mr. Lüth, will have the opportunityto visit the exhibition yourself, I think it is neverthelessappropriate to inform you of this event. This seemsespecially the case because in Israel itself, where I have been livingfor 15 years, I have heard about your thinking andwork with regard to an understanding [between Germans and Jews].In the same way I gathered last year from the German press,which was sent to me in Italy, numerous publicationsconcerning your efforts. Last but not least,I was very deeply touched by your militant stance in theHarlan affair.

This exhibition is a selection from a largercollection of children’s work, created in the context of theChildren’s Studio founded and directed by me in Israel.The sheets have already been shown several times in Eurand have been received with great interest everywhere.Now, it constitutes the first time that an event of this kindin connection with Israel is taking place here in Germany.The undertaking involves great risk for me personally,but I hope that the result will have theintended effect. I do have the impressionthough that the people involved are veryinterested in the matter.

May I ask you, dear Mr. Lüth, whether you see any waysof drawing attention to this event inthe public (press etc. etcetera ) in Hamburg?– To me, Hamburg in particular holdsconsiderable memories, as I spent my childhoodand youth there with my familyand left my hometown in 1933.

I greet you with the highest regardsand best wishes for your furtherwork.

Yourhumble servant