[Cz-L] streets in Czernowitz

   Hello Mr. Nielsen,
   first of all, the name of the street was "Herrengasse" and not
Hermanngasse.
   It was the "Paradestueck" as you would call it in German, of the city, the
most elegant street, flanked by trees to the left and to the right.
   It was just the place to go when you wanted to see and be seen, and at
mid-afternoon people would start to stroll up and down and again up and down
until they would settle in one of the fashionable cafe's of which the
Herrengasse had plenty.

   As far as I could remember, the street was long and wide, but you know
that looking back everything seems bigger and better. When I returned to
Czernowitz after about half a century, I was surprised to find that actually
it was a rather short and narrow street (of course by then I had walked down
Park Avenue, 5th Avenue, and your own Kurfuerstendamm).

   The Herrengasse was not just a street, it was "ein Begriff" a concept. It
meant social life, entertainment, showing off new clothes, and meeting just
the person one was interested to meet..

   What surprises me, is that you call it an "ancient city". It's true, the
town underwent many changes and not for the better, but it is certainly not
yet ancient. I'd rather call it a luckless city, once so wonderful and now
no more. Sic gloria mundi. As a young child I never appreciated the city's
magnificent architecture, proud Baroque buildings which time and neglect
could not touch. Did you have family there? What is your connection to
Czernowitz? I am amazed to find that so many people are interested in that
town, never having been there themselves! I myself am still nostalgic about
it, after so many years spent on 3 different continents.
   No matter what, I will always remain a product of Czernowitz. And by the
way, my mother tongue is German.

   It was nice hearing from you,
   Lucca







   ----- Original Message -----
   From: "j_nielsen" <j_nielsen_at_gmx.de>
   To: <lucca99_at_netvision.net.il>
   Sent: Monday, November 01, 2004 11:36 AM
   Subject: streets in Cernowitz


> Hello Mdm. Ginsburg,
>
> Thank you very much for your memories of czernowitz. All my relatives of
> this time are gone and its nice to hear
> about the ancient city from you. Would you remember for me some
> impressions about the Hermanngasse if it possible? That will be truly
> pleasant for me cause I remember still some family stories of my
> childhood in all.
>
> friendly greetings,
> Jens Nielsen from Berlin
>
Received on 2004-11-01 10:47:11