Dear One and Only King Tschibok
Love Letters by Anna Seghers to László Radványi
5 Nov 2026, 6 pm
Literary Salon at the Anna Seghers Museum
Jutta Hoffmann reads from the love letters written by the young Anna Seghers to her future husband, László Radványi
- Location:
Anna Seghers Museum, Berlin - Date:
5 Nov 2026 - Time:
6 pm - Price:EUR 7.50 (Reduced: EUR 5)
- Languages: German
- Save appointment
Anna-Seghers-Str. 81
12489 BerlinLimited number of places
Registration: annaseghersmuseum@adk.deDoors open from 5:40 pm
“I was transformed from the ground up; everything else seemed trivial in comparison.”
Letter dated 1 March 1925, from: Anna Seghers: Ich will Wirklichkeit. Liebesbriefe an Rodi 1921–1925 ( I Want Reality. Love Letters to Rodi 1921–1925), Berlin: Aufbau Verlage 2025
Whilst sorting through family papers, Anna Seghers’ grandson Jean Radványi came across something completely unexpected: over 400 letters written by his grandmother Netty Reiling – who wrote under the pen name Anna Seghers – to her future husband, László Radványi.
These love letters speak of deep affection, doubts and an artistic awakening. They depict a young woman battling against social conventions and her family’s rejection of her relationship with the Hungarian student and communist. And they show how the young Seghers asserted her will with humour and cunning, both in art and in love. They give voice to a young woman full of passion and great hopes.
Jutta Hoffmann brings to life the emotional and literary richness of these letters, which were not published until 2025. An evening about the courage to love – and the courage to write.
Curated and read by Jutta Hoffmann