Max, Fritz and Heidi Levy with a friend in Vienna

Category

Library Item

Item no

24754

Title

Max, Fritz and Heidi Levy with a friend in Vienna

Description

Ernest Levy's siblings Max, Fritz and Heidi sit with a friend at a café table and smile for the camera. The women are wearing summer dresses and the men suits.

Artist / maker

Unknown

Date

1936

Type

Photograph

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

The cities and countries of the old Austro-Hungarian empire were still interconnected in the 1920s and 30s. Though the Lowy (Levy) family was based in Bratislava (in the new Czechoslovakia), it was not out of the ordinary for them to visit Austria. This photo was taken in Vienna, the capital of Austria, in 1936. In Germany at this time, Hitler was hoping and planning to build his Third Reich and would, in 1938, incorporate Austria into "Greater Germany" with the Anschluss. There would be no more travelling to Austria after this.

Ernest Levy was a holocaust survivor who after the war settled in Scotland. Originally from Bratislava he spent 48 years in Glasgow where he became a leading figure in the Scottish Jewish community. He spoke out about his experiences throughout his life, knowing that his testimony would help future generations remember this terrible time in history. For these efforts Ernest was made an O.B.E in 2002.

On his passing in 2009 his large collection of books, manuscripts and music were donated to Edinburgh City Libraries by his daughter Judy.

Exhibitions with this item

Other views of this item

Related images

Related subjects

Clothing and dress > Garments > Dresses

Clothing and dress > Garments > Suits

Furnishings > Furniture > Tables

People > Adults > Men

People > Adults > Women

Places > Europe > Austria

Sport and leisure > Eating and drinking facilities > Cafes