The Diary of Petr Ginz, 1941-1942
192
The Diary of Petr Ginz, 1941-1942
192eBook
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Overview
Not since Anne Frank’s The Diary of a Young Girl has such an intimately candid, deeply affecting account of a childhood compromised by Nazi tyranny come to light. As a fourteen-year-old Jewish boy living in Prague in the early 1940s, Petr Ginz dutifully kept a diary that captured the increasingly precarious texture of daily life. His stunningly mature paintings, drawings, and writings reflect his insatiable appetite for learning and experience and openly display his growing artistic and literary genius. Petr was killed in a gas chamber at Auschwitz at the age of sixteen. His diaries—recently discovered in a Prague attic under extraordinary circumstances—are an invaluable historical document and a testament to one remarkable child’s insuppressible hunger for life.
“Given his unprecedented situation, his words were unprecedented. He was creating new language. He was creating life . . . The diary in your hands did not save Petr. But it did save us.” —Jonathan Safran Foer, author of Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close and Everything Is Illuminated
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9780802195463 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Grove/Atlantic, Inc. |
| Publication date: | 09/01/2018 |
| Sold by: | Barnes & Noble |
| Format: | eBook |
| Pages: | 192 |
| Sales rank: | 374,727 |
| File size: | 6 MB |
About the Author
Read an Excerpt
CHAPTER 1
Petr Ginz's Diary
from 19th September of the year nineteen hundred and forty-one (Friday) till 23rd February of the year nineteen hundred and forty-two (Monday)
Material donated as a birthday gift by Eva Ginzova.
19. IX. 1941 (Friday)
The weather is foggy. Jews were told to wear a badge, which looks approximately like this:
When I went to school, I counted sixty-nine "sheriffs," Mummy counted more than a hundred of them.
Dlouha avenue is now called "The Milky Way."
In the afternoon I went with Eva to Troja; we went on a ride on a tethered boat.
20. IX. 1941 (Saturday)
Cold in the morning, nice in the afternoon.
In the morning I had to study. In the afternoon I went (to Troja) with Popper, from whom I bought a tank for 270 crowns. Mummy, Daddy, and Eva were at Grandma's.
21. IX. 1941 (Sunday)
Very nice weather all day.
I wrote my homework all morning, in the afternoon till three.
The Miloses will come here around four and we'll go to Troja.
(Eva II arrived as well, and the Blochs, from whom I received photographs.)
22. IX. 1941 (Monday)
In the morning there was a terrible fog, in the afternoon it was nice.
In the morning I went to wish Grandma "Le Shanah Tovah," then I accompanied her to the Smichov synagogue.
In the afternoon, because it's Rosh Hashanah, we have no school.
We all went for a walk near the slaughterhouse; we rode on rafts until the evening.
23. IX. 1941 (Tuesday)
In the morning there was fog; at noon and in the afternoon it was very nice.
Popper and I went to the slaughterhouse in the morning.
It is the autumn equinox, the beginning of autumn, but I have already seen fallen leaves somewhere.
I spent the afternoon at home.
24. IX. 1941 (Wednesday)
Fog in the morning, afternoon nice.
In the morning in school, in the afternoon with Popper in Troja.
25. IX. 1941 (Thursday)
In the morning chilly, in the afternoon nice.
In the morning in the library, in the afternoon at school.
At Denis train station there was a fire engine; smoke was blowing from there.
Mummy heard a terrible bang, then many smaller ones.
Probably another sabotage.
27. IX. 1941 (Saturday)
Quite nice all day. In the morning at home, in the afternoon with Popper and Martin in Troja. Martin became a member of SPVL, which made Popper very angry, because M. is not allowed to give up a membership that forbids him to sign contracts, without my permission. M. invited me to his house for his birthday. So on Sunday I'll go to him.
I arranged a boycott against Popper.
They announced a so-called civil state of emergency (martial law) valid from 28. IX. 1941, 12 o'clock.
Signed by Heydrich instead of Neurath.
28. IX. 1941 (Sunday)
Nice weather all day, especially in the afternoon.
In the morning I was at home, did my homework; in the afternoon I went to Turna's house for a snack; we also went to the Atlantic, where we tried out ships. I cancelled the boycott against Popper, who was threatening me with war. I made a pact with Martin, according to which I will supply him with ships in case of war.
Then we played Mill (Nine Men's Morris) and checkers.
I am writing this in the evening by candlelight, my parents and Eva II went to the Levituses with spoiled sausages. Now it's almost eight o'clock and they're not back yet. P.S. I gave Turna "Mother Bear Brumka and Her Son" as a present. The tower clock is striking eight right now.
29. IX. 1941 (Monday)
Morning quite cold, afternoon fair. I was in school this morning, now I'm at home and soon I'll go to my orthopedic exercise and school exercise class.
I've been to the gym, then wasted time in school, where we were supposed to have handicrafts, and this because of the "Nine-tailed cat with eighteen iron balls" from Bardach.
30. IX. 1941 (Tuesday)
Quite cold all day.
Morning at home, afternoon in school.
1. X. 1941 (Wednesday)
It has been raining all day. It is Yom Kippur, I fasted from Tuesday evening until Wednesday evening. But in the evening I ate a lot.
Lots of people were executed for preparing the sabotage, illegal possession of weapons, and so on.
2. X. 1941 (Thursday)
Quite cold. Nothing special.
3. X. 1941 (Friday)
Cold in the morning, decent weather in the afternoon.
In the afternoon I went to my orthopedic exercise class, afterward went for a walk near the slaughterhouse. I met Popper there.
There was terrible shellfire at night and shots in the direction of Letna. Sirens were wailing like mad. The Turnas were in the shelter. Mummy and Daddy heard the whirring of a motor. But not me. Daddy saw shrapnel bursting into pieces a few times.
4. X. 1941 (Saturday)
Fair weather all day.
In the afternoon I visited the Turnas, and I went to Troja. We were supposed to have a race, but it didn't happen, because some boy (age 14–15) kept throwing stones at us. On the way, Turna was stopped by a small, about eleven-year-old boy, telling him that he shouldn't talk to Jews.
He also said that he knows the law very well and that he will find out Turna's name.
From Popper I got as two prizes for the boat race a small English textbook. In Troja I met my parents.
5. X. 1941 (Sunday)
In the morning bad fog, in the afternoon quite chilly.
Did homework all morning. In the afternoon we went for a walk in Maniny, where we met the Hirschs; with them we walked far beyond the Liben bridge. I borrowed "The Mysterious Dune."
6. X. 1941 (Monday)
Quite nice weather.
It is Sukkot and so there is no school. In the morning I was at home, in the afternoon at my orthopedic exercise class and I also went to hand in the solution of the competition in "Paradise Garden," where I met a lady who looked more like death than a human being.
There is a new inventory of Jewish linen, furniture, sewing machines, and other things. The Milos family came to visit us this afternoon (only Uncle and Pavel) and Eva II. Mr. Fried came back recently (he had been arrested by the Gestapo) and immediately got married.
7. X. 1941 (Tuesday)
Weather quite good in the morning, nice in the afternoon.
In the afternoon I was with Eva in Maniny; we rode a trolley cycle.
In the morning I borrowed from Slavek "In a Sailboat across Two Oceans."
8. X. 1941 (Wednesday)
Quite nice weather all day.
In the morning at school, in the afternoon at Maniny. I picked goldenrod there.
In the evening Lianka came to look at Eva's drawings.
9. X. 1941 (Thursday)
Quite nice weather. — Morning at home, afternoon at school, wrote Czech composition essay.
10. X. 1941 (Friday)
In the morning at school, Ehrlich from the parallel class is leaving with the first transport of five thousand Jews to Poland.
Everyone is allowed to take along 50 kg luggage, money, blankets, food, and insurance policies.
In the afternoon (evening) Eva II and Hanka Steiner came to visit.
11. X. 1941 (Saturday)
In the morning I was at home; in the afternoon we visited Grandma. I received a police summons; Eva thought we were already going to Poland. It was about a finder's fee. Because three weeks ago, I found latchkeys, which I handed in to the police. I gave them my address, to send me a finder's reward, in case there was one.
In the evening Eva II was here; she is expecting Otik's arrival.
12. X. 1941 (Sunday)
Finally, after a telephone call and a cable, Otik arrived at about 9 A.M. Uncle Jarka D. is also supposed to come soon.
13. X. 1941 (Monday)
There is no school, because it's Sukkot on Monday and Tuesday.
I received notice to go to school and fill sacks with sawdust. In the morning I filled sixty sacks with a group that also included Pavel G. In the afternoon we stuffed over eighty sacks. They reached the ceiling. Two cars delivered the sawdust. The full sacks are sent to Veletrzni Palace, where Jews are supposed to stay for five days before the journey to Poland. I guess they'll sleep on the sacks. Uncle Jarka D. arrived from Hradec; in the evening he went to Horalka's. Eva II was here, too.
14. X. 1941 (Tuesday)
In the morning I went to the police and to Grandma's. At the police station I received 9.90 crowns for the keys. In the afternoon I went for a walk with Eva at Maniny, where I met Fabian from IV.C.
15. X. 1941 (Wednesday)
In the morning I was in school; Kaufman and Hayek will be leaving for Poland.
In the afternoon I was with Popper at Maniny and near the slaughterhouse. Uncle Jarka D. left in the evening. Eva II is here.
16. X. 1941 (Thursday)
In the morning I went for a walk at Maniny and near the slaughterhouse. At Maniny I was invited to ride on a train, by a railway worker. He chatted with me very nicely, said he was from Sudeten Germany, where he left a house. He asked me whether Daddy couldn't sell him an overcoat, since we have to leave everything to the Germans.
In the afternoon at school, a maths exam.
D. Storzova was here; she is leaving with a new transport for Poland.
17. X. 1941 (Friday)
In the morning I went to school, from where I was sent with three others to help put together desks in a new Jewish school in Vinohrady.
We made it back to school just for the last lesson.
In the afternoon I went for a walk near the slaughterhouse and at Maniny. Auntie Anda visited us.
18. X. 1941 (Saturday)
In the morning I was helping out at home.
I scraped out Daddy's sticker albums and glued in new stickers. I did the same work for part of the afternoon. Uncle Milos and Pavel came. In the evening Lianka came to show us her new dress, which she made herself. Mr. Pokorny came, too.
19. X. 1941 (Sunday)
I spent the morning at home; I started a fire in the stove for the first time by myself, now it's burning like crazy. I stayed home in the afternoon as well, just toward the evening I went with Eva to Maniny.
20. X. 1941 (Monday)
In the morning at school, in the afternoon at Maniny. Pavel came in the evening.
21. X. 1941 (Tuesday)
In the morning at home, in the afternoon at school.
We now have Miss Lauscherova as our class teacher, right away she gave four children after school detentions and five written punishments (5x a certain fairly long article). Promising beginning!
22. X. 1941 (Wednesday)
Morning at school. Uncle Milos came at noon.
Mr. Pitter and Eva II came in the evening.
23. X. 1941 (Thursday)
This morning I was in town; in the afternoon I went for a walk.
24. X. 1941 (Friday)
Morning at home, afternoon [incomplete]
25. X. 1941 (Saturday)
In the morning in town and on a walk. In the afternoon I went to visit Popper; Martin was there, too; we played "Business" and "Bell and Hammer." Afterward I was outdoors.
26. X. 1941 (Sunday)
In the morning at home; in the afternoon I visited the Hanzls with the Miloses.
Neither Pavlicek nor Jozka or Jirina was at home. Only Miluska was there, who had a visit from Mr. Karpeles. She showed us sleeping bags.
This year's first snow fell today, of course mixed with rain.
We and the Milos family received a summons to register.
27. X. 1941 (Monday)
Morning in school; in the afternoon went to Zizkov.
We got a big punishment from Miss Lauscherova for talking: to decline twenty-five words in German.
We've already had a proper snowstorm.
28. X. 1941 (Tuesday)
Afternoon in school, morning in town.
29. X. 1941 (Wednesday)
Morning in school; I got paid 100 crowns for helping out in school. It's enough!
On Friday, the Miluskas and the Jirinas have to report to the exhibition grounds. They are leaving for Poland.
On Sunday they weren't yet registered, on Tuesday they registered, and on Wednesday they were called up (at night, as usual).
In the afternoon we visited the family Levitus; Aunt Anda was there too.
30. X. 1941 (Thursday)
In the morning at the Levituses; they have everything ready for the journey to Poland. — Afternoon in school.
(ON LOOSE LEAF WITH SECRET WRITING)
1. in the afternoon there was
2. at our house one
3. lady from Kotrovice (Kotovice?) near Pilsen
4. and she talked about a big
5. attack by the English. One
6. bomb fell about ten feet
7. from the train station and made
8. there an enormous ditch, which
9. they then had to cover for a long
10. time. That sort of attack
1. happened there three times, but they never
2. hit the train station, which
3. is used to transport goods from
4. the Skoda factory.
5. The noise was so terrible,
6. that they thought they were surrounded by
7. cavalry. There was a large number
8. of aeroplanes
9. about Monday 4.V.42
10. some postmen saw
11. at night during the air attack a huge
12. number of aeroplanes.
31. X. 1941 (Friday)
In the morning I was supposed to go to school, but instead I went to say goodbye to the Miluskas and the Jirinas. I brought little Pavlicek something to play with while traveling: a tank and a monkey that jumped and turned somersaults, but which scared him terribly. There was an awful mess, they are preparing for the journey. Afterward I went to school. The snow stayed a while on the streets for the first time, the roofs are covered.
Afternoon at home.
1. XI. 1941 (Saturday)
In the morning a walk near the slaughterhouse at Maniny, in the afternoon at Grandma's. It's really freezing already, the Maninsky canal is almost completely frozen, the ice is about 1 cm thick. Of course, you can't yet walk on it. In several places there are ice patches you can slide on.
Daddy was called up for work by the Jewish Community (probably at the exhibition center).
In a self-invented cryptograph, Petr recorded news from the BBC transmitter, which he secretly listened to even though such activity was severely punished.
2. XI. 1941 (Sunday)
In the morning I wrote my homework and my punishment, in the afternoon we were with the Miloses at the Masaryk station, expecting the arrival of Auntie Nada from Budyne. Auntie arrived, and we all went to our house, where we (us children) played "Sorry."
Mr. Pokorny was here in the evening.
3. XI. 1941 (Monday)
School in the morning. We received a letter from the Jewish Community, ordering us to go to Regnart Street and sign that we will not sell or give anything to Aryans. At home in the afternoon.
Daddy worked from 10 till 5 at the exhibition ground. This is the work he had been called up for on Saturday.
4. XI. 1941 (Tuesday)
We have no school till next Monday, probably because people will be going there to sign declarations (see Monday).
I spent the morning at Grandma's where I was working on engravings.
Grandma then gave me two. I coloured them in the afternoon.
5. XI. 1941 (Wednesday)
Morning at home, afternoon at the Levituses.
6. IX. 1941 (Thursday)
I spent the morning at Grandma's, where I got more engravings (altogether eighty-three) for colouring. In the afternoon I started on them and finished colouring three of them: Eva also did one. — Went to Maniny in the early evening.
7. XI. 1941 (Friday)
In the morning at home, in the afternoon at Maniny.
8. XI. 1941 (Saturday)
In the morning with Popper near the slaughterhouse and at Maniny, in the afternoon at Grandma's.
9. XI. 1941 (Sunday)
In the morning at home, we have a punishment (from Miss Lauscherova) to decline one hundred nouns with adjectives, so I had to write it. Spent the afternoon with the Milos family.
10. XI. 1941 (Monday)
In the morning at school, in the afternoon went for a walk.
11. XI. 1941 (Tuesday)
In the morning in town, in the afternoon in school.
12. XI. 1941 (Wednesday)
In the morning in school, in the afternoon with Popper.
The Mautners gave me engravings. Eva II was here.
Aunt Herma gave us a kind of bowl that chirps when the milk is about to spill out. We tried it out today; it works.
13. XI. 1941 (Thursday)
In the morning at the outpatients hospital, in the eye department they gave me a prescription for glasses.
Afternoon in school.
14. XI. 1941 (Friday)
In the morning at school, in the afternoon in town and at Grandma's. We also stopped off at Mr. Repa's on Hybernska Street for those glasses, which we're supposed to receive tomorrow.
15. XI. 1941 (Saturday)
In the morning we borrowed a small heater from the Mautners.
In the afternoon at Grandma's, the Hornsteins (Grandma's tenants) have been called up to report to the exhibition grounds, to go to Poland.
16. XI. 1941 (Sunday)
In the morning at home, in the afternoon at the Levituses; the Milos family was there too. I played chess with Pavel for the first time. Afterward we boys and the girls chased one another through the rooms.
17. XI. 1941 (Monday)
Morning at school, I was tested in natural history and geography (B and A). In the afternoon [incomplete]
18. XI. 1941 (Tuesday)
In the morning at home, in the afternoon at school; I was elected class president.
19. XI. 1941 (Wednesday)
In the morning at school I was publicly named president of class IV.B.
In the afternoon I went to pick up the glasses from Repa's on Hybernska Street and afterward I wore them when I went for a walk with Popper in Troja.
(Continues…)
Excerpted from "The Diary of Petr Ginz 1941–1942"
by .
Copyright © 2004 Chava Pressburger.
Excerpted by permission of Grove Atlantic, Inc..
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.
Table of Contents
What We Say We Are,
Translator's Note,
Introduction,
Editor's Note,
Petr Ginz's Diary: September 19, 1941–February 23, 1942,
Family Photos,
Petr Ginz's Diary: February 24, 1942–,
The Last Meeting,
Writings from Theresienstadt,
Notes to Petr Ginz's Diaries,
Acknowledgments,
The Fates of Those in Petr's Diary,
Drawings,
Related Subjects
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