- December 13, 2024
- 1:12 am
- Ukraine
Selma Meerbaum-Eisinger: “Bukovina’s Anne Frank” returns to the hearts of Ukrainian readers.
The story of the life and work of Zelma Meerbaum-Eisinger, a young Jewish poetess, whose poems became a symbol of the tragedy of the Holocaust and part of the world cultural heritage.
“Anne Frank of Bukovina” would have turned 100 years old this year. However, she lived only 19 incomplete years. Her life was cut short on December 16, 1942, at the age of 18, in a Nazi labor camp in Transnistria.
A memorial plaque in her memory was installed in Chernivtsi (Ukraine).
On December 15, 2024, a presentation of the second edition of the poetry collection in Ukrainian “I am tightly wrapped” will take place in Chernivtsi (“I’m Shrouded in Longing”) is a collection of poems by Zelma Meerbaum-Eisinger, a young Jewish poet from Bukovina.
This evening will be an important event for the preservation of cultural heritage and strengthening ties between the Jewish and Ukrainian peoples. This is reported by OEOU | United Jewish Community of Ukraine.
Presentation in Chernivtsi: an event to remember
The presentation of the collection will take place on December 15 at the Olga Kobylyanskaya Theater. The event will include a stage reading of poetry performed by actress Maryana Timchishin.
The event is organized with the support of such organizations as:
- Goethe-Institut Ukraine.
- Cultural center “Gedankendach”who financed the publication of the collection.
- German foundations, including the Association of Friends and Patrons of the University of Passau.
The publication of the publication was financially supported by the “Society of Friends and Patrons of the University of Passau”, the Department of Modern and Contemporary History of Eastern Europe and Its Cultures of the University of Passau, and another part of the funds was the Georg Degio Prize in the field of culture of the German Forum for Eastern European Culture, awarded to the Center Ge22 r. The publication was published by Publishing House 21.
The presentation and stage reading will be held with the support of the cultural center Goethe-Institut Ukraine.
Who is Selma Meerbaum-Eisinger?
Selma Meerbaum-Eisinger, known as the “Anne Frank of Bukovina,” was born on February 5, 1924 in Chernivtsi, a city with a rich Jewish history. Her life, cut short at age 18, became a symbol of the fate of many Jews exterminated during the Holocaust.
Quick facts about Selma:
- Birth and family: grew up in a poor Jewish family. After her father's death, her mother married Leo Eisinger, which is why Zelma has a double surname.
- Studies and interests: studied at the Jewish gymnasium of Chernivtsi, was fond of dancing, sports and nature.
- The tragedy of war: in 1941, the family ended up in the Chernivtsi ghetto, and then were deported to the Transnistrian labor camp, where Zelma died of typhus.
Zelma's literary heritage
Collection “I am shrouded in melancholy”
Before the deportation, Zelma managed to give a notebook with her poems to a friend. The album, in which a bouquet of flowers was drawn on the cover, became the only literary heritage of the poetess.
The collection contains 57 poems, 5 of which are translated:
- From Yiddish – works by Itzik Manger and Leivik Halpern.
- From French – poems by Paul Verlaine.
- From Romanian – works by Mihni Dischipol.
The poems were dated May 1939 – December 1941. The collection was dedicated to her lover and friend Leizer Fichman, one year older than her.
Despite her young age (Zelma wrote poetry from the age of 15 to 17), her work was highly appreciated by literary scholars. Today her poems are considered part of German literature.
The path of poetry to readers
Surprisingly, Zelma’s notebook passed through several hands and was eventually preserved:
- After the deportation, the notebook went to Zelma’s friend, and then to Israel.
- In 1976, poetry was first published thanks to the efforts of class teacher Zelma.
- In 1980, the German literary critic Jürgen Zerke made the book famous by publishing it under the title “I am shrouded in longing.”
Today, Zelma’s poems have been translated into English, Ukrainian, Italian, Japanese and other languages.
Zelma's connection with Paul Celan
Interesting fact: Selma was the cousin of Paul Celan, one of the greatest German-language poets of the 20th century. They are united not only by family ties, but also by a similar fate, reflecting the tragedy of the Jewish people during the war.
Selma and Jewish culture
Her work inspired not only literature, but also music, theater and painting:
- German actors and composers created performances and musical works based on her poems.
- Works about Selma were presented on stages in Germany, Ukraine and Israel.
- Her poems are read by famous actors, and drawings made in the camp are kept in the Yad Vashem museum in Israel.
Her story is a reminder of the power of art to preserve memories and bring people together.
International recognition
In 2010, the Selma Meerbaum-Eisinger Prize was established in Germany, awarded to young authors. In Israel, at Tel Aviv University, a foundation named after her was founded. All proceeds from the publication and performance of her poems go to support Jewish students.
Symbol of the unification of cultures
Events like the presentation of the collection “I am shrouded in longing” are a bridge between Jewish and Ukrainian cultures. They remind us of the importance of dialogue between peoples and the preservation of historical memory.
On our website “NAnews — Israel News” you can always find more materials about similar initiatives highlighting the importance of Jewish-Ukrainian ties.
Table: Main stages of preserving the heritage of Zelma
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1942 | Giving a notebook with poems to a friend before deportation. |
| 1976 | The first publication of poems in Israel. |
| 1980 | The publication of the collection in Germany, which made Selma famous. |
| 2010 | Establishment of the Selma Prize in Germany. |
Conclusion
Selma Meerbaum-Eisinger is a symbol of tragedy, but also an example of how culture and memory can overcome time and borders. Her poems, filled with longing and hope, continue to resonate and inspire.
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