“A pathetic symphony in cyclonic B minor. Everything in it is made up except death.” (introductory thought in the novel Silence for the Eyes)

Slovenian writer, journalist, publicist and screenwriter Branko Šömen wrote the novel Silence for the Eyes at the suggestion of his now deceased friend, Hollywood producer and two-time Oscar winner Branko Lustig, who survived the Auschwitz camp as a child. The novel tells a fictional story, but is at the same time based on a real historical background, about a special section of Sonderkomandos, prisoners who filled crematorium furnaces with the corpses of dead fellow martyrs until it was their turn. The novel is thus an extremely shocking narrative about the awareness of impending death, collective dying, and self-salvation, as well as the preservation of humanity and faith in a fellow human being.

The presentation of Branko Šömn‘s book will take place on Sunday, 5th of September 2021, at 18:00 at the Židovski Square in Maribor. The conversation with the author will be led by Bojan Labović, and theatrical actors Milena Zupančič and Petja Labović will also perform. In case of rain, the event will take place in the former synagogue.

The presentation is organized as part of the European Days of Jewish Culture 2021 project. The event was financially supported by the Municipality of Maribor.

Excerpts from the book in Slovene (taken from the Ciceron website).

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