[Cz-L] Re: czernowitz-l digest: May 24, 2008

Re: the plaque, the plaque - I promised myself to stay out of this discussion which has taken on a global dimension but I feel compelled to comment that in my humble opinion Charles Rosner's suggestion to refer to the city as "This City," is a brilliant one.

I have for some years wondered why Romania has accepted outsiders' versions of their city names. Bucuresti is referred to Bucharest even by many Romanians. I don't know how and when and why this German version of the capital's name came into use.

Technically all of us Czernowitzers who are under the age of 90 were born in Cernauti. Our parents were born in Czernowitz. A new member in my family once asked me, "What shall I call you?" and I responded, "The name is Andy, but I'll respond to 'Hey, you,' so call me anything but don't call after 11 p.m." Names shouldn't mean anything but they do to many people. India in recent years changed the name of its famous city, Bombay, to Mumbai, doubtlessly out of some national pride since Bombay may have been the name given by the British occupiers. Many Indians still refer to it as Bombay but out of respect I call it Mumbai.

Respect for the feelings of all others is important. "This city" should really be adopted for the plaque.

Best wishes,
Andy Halmay


Subject: [Cz-L] About the city's name on TP's plaque
From: Charles Rosner <frenchczern1_at_yahoo.com>
Date: Sat, 24 May 2008 06:57:30 -0700 (PDT)
X-Message-Number: 5

Hi Everybody!
I was born in Czernowitz in August 1941, and my mother and I lived there as clandestines - ie. without any P or C permit! - and survived throughout the ghetto period and therefater till 1945. Still, I consider that the TP plaque is a must and I strongly support it. I have also no problem with the wording - except on one point - as long as it reflects the gratitude and honor TP deserves:
Clearly, for all of us, this city was Czernowitz (even for me, born in Cernauti) and that's the name we will always remember. But, the plaque is not meant for us to be read: it is for any and all passer-by.
I therefore suggest, in order to stop any discussion about this specific element of the wording, to simply write "...mayor of this city...". Everyone will understand that it is "this" city, whichever name it now bears or beared in the past. And, as a by-product, even the present city council can recognize it as its own city...
Regards,
Charles Rosner
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Received on 2008-05-25 13:20:30