To Write Love in Times of War: Leah Goldberg

Leah Goldberg never agreed to write war songs, and she had excellent reasons for it. But she did not mention the real reason for her stubborn refusal, the one that threatened to undermine her whole world. How did the horrors of the First World War lead her to the conclusion that “it is not just permitted but necessary to write love poems in times of war”?

In the first episode of “Muses: A moment of respite in times of crisis”, Maya Kosover turns to the beloved writer who insisted on creating poems praising nature, the blossoming trees, and the laughter of children, even while the cannons were roaring.

Credits:

The photos, drawings, and manuscripts courtesy of the Gnazim Archive

Leah Goldberg, “Will there ever come days of forgiveness and mercy?”, from “Poems”, edited by Tuvya Ruebner, Sifriat Poalim, from 1973 onwards, vol. 2, p. 77.

Leah Goldberg, “On the same subject”, from “Literary Diary: Selected Journalistic Articles. Vol. I: 1928-1941”, Hakibbutz Hameuchad, 2017, pp. 396-400.

Leah Goldberg, “And this is the Light”, Sifrei Siman Kriya / Hakibbutz Hameuchad, 2006.

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