Mälestused-JutustusedВоспоминания/Рассказы
Memoirs/Stories
Mälestused-Jutustused
Genja Lifshits (Neishloss) was born in 1914 in Riga, Latvia. In 1918 the family moved to Tallinn. In 1932 Genja graduated from the Tallinn Jewish gymnasium and in 1934 went to Palestine. In Palestine / Israel she didn't speak Estonian.
I met Genja in 2012 - 78 years after her departure from Estonia. Our conversation was in Hebrew. Suddenly Genja started to recite a poem in Estonian. It was a poem by Carl Eduard Malm "A birch" (based on Wilhelm Müller's "Der Lindenbaum"). Here is this poem and an unconventional performance of the anthem of Estonia (obviously for the first time in last 78 years).
Mark Rybak
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Wilhelm Müller Der Lindenbaum Am Brunnen vor dem Tore Da steht ein Lindenbaum: Ich träumt in seinem Schatten So manchen süßen Traum. Ich schnitt in seine Rinde So manches liebe Wort; Es zog in Freud und Leide Zu ihm mich immer fort. Ich mußt auch heute wandern Vorbei in tiefer Nacht, Da hab ich noch im Dunkel Die Augen zugemacht. Und seine Zweige rauschten, Als riefen sie mir zu: Komm her zu mir, Geselle, Hier findst du deine Ruh! Die kalten Winde bliesen Mir grad ins Angesicht, Der Hut flog mir vom Kopfe, Ich wendete mich nicht. Nun bin ich manche Stunde Entfernt von jenem Ort, Und immer hör ich´s rauschen: Du fändest Ruhe dort! |
Carl Eduard Malm Kask Üks kask meil kasvab õues, Just maja ukse ees, See oli lapsepõlves Mu armas seltsimees. Ta andis vilu varju, Ta mahl mind kosutas, ta kohin sagedasti mu südant jahutas. Kui suureks sain, siis pidin Ma kottu lahkuma. Ma tahtsin viimast korda Ta all istuda. Ta lehed kohisesid, Kui lausuks salaja: Jää, sõber, isamaale, Siit leiad rahu sa! Nüüd olen kaugel ära Ja mõnda vaeva näind, Ja mõni kallis lootus On mulle tühjaks läind. Ei kase kohin taha Mu meelest kaduda, Kui kostaks minu kõrva: Siit leiad rahu sa. |
Translated by Walter Aue The Linden Tree At wellside, past the ramparts, there stands a linden tree. While sleeping in its shadow, sweet dreams it sent to me. And in its bark I chiseled my messages of love: My pleasures and my sorrows were welcomed from above. Today I had to pass it, well in the depth of night - and still, in all the darkness, my eyes closed to its sight. Its branches bent and rustled, as if they called to me: Come here, come here, companion, your haven I shall be! The icy winds were blowing, straight in my face they ground. The hat tore off my forehead. I did not turn around. Away I walked for hours whence stands the linden tree, and still I hear it whisp'ring: You'll find your peace with me! |