Carlo Greppi talks to Lucian Hudson

Historian Carlo Greppi tells the story of Lorenzo Perrone, a bricklayer who risked his life for six months to smuggle in the food and clothing renowned chemist and writer Primo Levi needed to survive in Auschwitz.

Greppi explains how Perrone, a near destitute labourer with little formal education, struck up a friendship with Levi that survived the Holocaust and lasted until Perrone’s death. He shows how Levi tried persistently to preserve the memory of the man who saved his life but who left few traces of his own behind. Perrone was recognised as one of the Righteous Among the Nations by the Yad Vashem Museum of Jerusalem. Levi went on to write several acclaimed books including If This is a Man, the account of the year he spent in Auschwitz.

Greppi is author of 14 books. A Man of Few Words has been translated into six languages. Here he talks to Lucian Hudson, professor-in-practice, Durham University, and former chair of Liberal Judaism (2009-15).

Part of the festival’s programmes of Italian and Jewish and Hebrew culture.

Carlo Greppi wishes to thank the Italian Cultural Institute for their support for this event.