Two Letters by Leo Valiani to Arthur Koestler (1954)

Abstract

The publication of the two letters by Leo Valiani, addressed to his friend Arthur Koestler in 1954 and translated here from the original Hungarian into Italian, contributes to our understanding of a difficult period in Valiani’s life. In these letters, he writes above all to unburden himself, choosing the language that most closely united them and fostered greater intimacy between them: Hungarian. With a touch of self-irony, Valiani acknowledges how, even in his personal anxieties and tragedies, reflection on his intellectual formation, his interests, and his research constantly emerges—alongside his testimony and political commitment—regarding the major events of the twentieth century in which the two friends took part. The letters thus offer significant insights for a deeper understanding of Valiani’s work and intellectual trajectory.