In Beit Hakerem, a suburb of Jerusalem, a group called LYRIS meets once a month to share their poems in German. Only a few members are under 85 years old. As of recently, however, young Israelis are once again learning German. The film tells both stories: that of an intense and painful experience, and of a not entirely impartial curiosity. And so a space for dialogue is formed across generations – and the language is German.

There’s cake and poetry once a month in the Beit Hakerem suburb of Jerusalem. Once the homemade Austrian torte has been had, poems are read in turn. Sometimes the recitations are accompanied by nothing more than a silent nodding, or a furrowed brow. But lively discussion always ensues, with comments, praise and analysis holding sway. The poems are about old age, death, about still-open wounds. They are testament to a mystifying vitality and an almost violent love of life. There is much laughter at the evenings in Beit Hakerem, and, of course, the language is German.

Only a few of the participants of this illustrious circle, which calls itself LYRIS, are under 85 years old. When the State of Israel was founded 60 years ago, they were in their twenties and had just escaped death through sheer luck or by chance. They had also lost their homeland and were forced to leave behind their friends and the places where they had spent their childhood. But they took their mother tongue with them, for, as Schalom Ben Chorin says, “One can emigrate from one’s homeland, but not from one’s native tongue.”

While most of their children picked up something of the old language, more or less intentionally, their grandchildren have largely lost the connection to the language. But recent times have seen the development of an astounding phenomenon: young Israelis are once again learning German. Admittedly, some students have encountered that not all of their friends are in favour of their decision to learn German. The taboo on the language continues to have a strong effect, the words halt, schnell and Arbeit macht frei resonate clearly in their ears. Yet along with this rejection, a new interest is developing, towards not only the grandparents’ origins, but also towards the modern Germany of today. Berlin is becoming an increasingly popular destination, particularly among circles of artists. And so today, young people take the route their grandparents travelled, in the reverse direction, taking German along with them once again on a personal journey. The film tells both stories: that of an intense and painful experience, and of a not entirely impartial curiosity. And so a space for dialogue is formed across generations – and the language is German.

Production Country

Germany (DE)

Production Period

2008

Production Year

2008

color

color

Aspect Ratio

1:1,33

Duration

Feature-Length Film (61+ Min.)

Type

Documentary

Topic

Literature, Jewish Topics

Available Media

DVD

Original Version

German (de), Hebrew (he)

DVD

Subtitles

English (en), Spanish (Latin America), French (fr), Portuguese (Brazil), Russian (ru), Hebrew (he), German (full)