Ten years ago I foundedthe Kafka Project at SDSU, andspent four months in Berlin researching Nazi, Gestapo and SED (East German Communist) files. I discovered many treasures andunknown facts about Franz Kafka and Dora Diamant. That first Kafka Project effort in 1998, led to amazing discoveries , including original Kafka letters and long lost family members, separated by the Holocaust. It also led to the publication of my book, Kafka's Last Love , which has come out (or will soon come out) in the United States, United Kingdom, Spain, France, Brazil, China and Russia.
Dora Diamant, 1928 by KPBS, on Flickr
This picture of Dora, taken in 1928, was one of my discoveries in 1998, when I was searching for proof of the theft of Kafka's papers by the Nazis. I found that proof, along with 60 photographs. & The chief purpose of this "Magical Mystery" tour is to raise awareness about the existence of Kafka's missing literary treasure, and to have some fun, too, before the real research kicks off in July.
Already, & our tour & is & a success. I got off the plane, and was met by & a series & of reporters. I've given interviews to a literary magazine, A2 , a cultural magazine, Respekt , a major daily newspaper, Lidove Noviny and the literary section of Czech radio. Tomorrow I have interviews scheduled with another Czech daily newspaper, another radio interview and a segment on Czech TV, which will follow our tour to Kafka's grave. Who knew there would be so much interest in Kafka in Prague?
We are staying for the next three nights at the Casa Edith Stein , an 18th century converted farmhouse on Strakov Hill, with vaulted ceilings and stone floors. Very quiet and peaceful, an oasis outside the city center which is crackling and buzzing with crowds of tourists, I am told. I'll find out tomorrow what Prague is like now, & on our first tour. We will be walking from the Castle, down to the Old Town Square. & It's already evening here, and many of our group has headed into town on the tram. & I've elected to stay in this quiet garden neighborhood, write to you, and enjoy the flower filled cobblestone streets, lined with villas and mansions.
So our & journey has begun. I hope you stay with us and & follow our adventures & as we retrace one of the world's great love stories and delve into one of the most enduring mysteries in world literature. Stay tuned and keep in touch, if you'd like, by sending & us your comments. 'Til next time! &
