On the night of the 13th/14th November 2020, the life of a wonderful woman came to an abrupt end. My condolences go out to your children and their families. Even though Helga Kinsky, née Pollak, turned ninety on May 28, 2020, it feels like she was torn from the middle of life. Nothing foreshadowed such a sudden death.
Theresienstadt.
The Girls of Room 28
Helga Kinsky
Helga Kinsky, née Pollak
The Theresienstadt Diary by Helga Pollak and Edition Room 28
I never intended to become a publisher. However, circumstances forced me to become one. In 2013, Penguin Books published a book called “Helga’s Diary” - it was the diry of Helga Weissová. And so a confusion with "my Helga" began which led to some unfortunate mistakes and developments. It was Madeleine Albright, of all people, that started this mix-up in her book “Prague Winter,” which was published in 2012. Actually a great book. But for Helga Kinsky and for me it contained a few downers. Therefore, I felt obliged to publish Helga Kinsky's diary as quickly as possible. Since I couldn't find an interested publisher, I became a publisher myself. In 2014 it came out under the title: My Theresienstadt diary 1943 -1944 out of here. I wrote about the background to this mix-up and the errors that resulted from it in the English Compendium. You can read it here:
Mourning for Helga Kinsky, née Pollak
In my head, fragments of memories tumble wildly around like an inner tremor, memories of the annual meetings in Špindlerův Mlýn and Prague, of my visits to Vienna and of the countless trips together that took us across Germany to London, Brussels (European... Commission) and Geneva (United Nations), memories of readings, exhibition openings, conversations with contemporary witnesses; Above all, beautiful personal experiences, walks and hours-long conversations.
Also unforgettable was the work on publishing her diary "My Theresienstadt Diary 1943-1944", which laid the foundation for the Edition Room 28 laid.
It's sad to think that I couldn't even travel to Vienna for her 90th birthday because of Corona. It's incomprehensible that I can no longer talk to her on the phone like we did on a regular basis for years. And I was always happy and relieved to hear that she was well. Your voice so familiar! Your person - a part of my life, my personal one 'inner circle's ', also for my daughter.
I know, we all know, that everything comes to an end; but knowing it doesn't ease the shock, the pain, or the grief and sadness. I thought you would live for many more years, Helga!!! I wanted it so much! You play a very crucial role in my life. And it stays that way. I am eternally grateful that we met.
Obituaries from friends on the website of Room 28 eV club website: