Hans Bergel

Hans Bergel (June 26, 1925 – February 26, 2022) was a German-language writer, historian, and journalist originally from Râșnov, Romania. He is known for his works reflecting the struggles of Transylvanian Germans under communist rule. He won the prestigious Andreas Gryphius Prize in 2013 for his contributions to German literature.

Hans Bergel
Born	(1925-06-26)June 26, 1925 Râșnov, Brașov County, Transylvania, Kingdom of Romania
Died	February 26, 2022(2022-02-26) (aged 96)

Early life and Education

Hans Bergel was born on June 26, 1925, in Râșnov, a town situated in the Brașov County of Transylvania, Romania. His early years were marked by significant geographical mobility, as his family relocated multiple times within Transylvania during his childhood and adolescence. This period of movement exposed Bergel to a diverse array of cultural and social environments, shaping his worldview and later literary themes.

In 1939, amidst the escalating tensions in Europe that would soon culminate in World War II, Bergel's family moved to Brașov, a prominent city in Transylvania known for its rich cultural heritage and vibrant German-speaking community. In Brașov, Bergel attended Honterus High School, an institution renowned for its academic rigor and emphasis on cultural studies. The education he received here laid the foundation for his later pursuits in the humanities, particularly in art history and philosophy.

Between 1941 and 1944 Bergel enrolled in the pedagogical seminary in Sibiu (also known as Hermannstadt). Sibiu, another key city in Transylvania, was a center of intellectual and cultural activity, providing Bergel with a stimulating environment to further his studies. However, his education was abruptly interrupted by the tumultuous events of World War II. In 1944, as Romania shifted its allegiance and rearmed against Nazi Germany, the country plunged deeper into conflict. These geopolitical upheavals directly impacted Bergel, forcing him to suspend his seminary studies.

The immediate aftermath of the war presented Bergel with perilous circumstances. In January 1945, he narrowly escaped deportation to the Soviet Union, a fate that befell many individuals during the chaotic post-war period. Following this escape, Bergel spent several months in hiding, seeking refuge with shepherds in the Cindrel Mountains (also known as Cibin Mountains) until October 1945.

Life after World War II

With the war subsiding, Bergel returned to Sibiu to resume his interrupted education. Demonstrating resilience and dedication, he successfully completed his studies and earned his baccalaureate in 1946. Following his graduation, he secured employment as a teacher. This role allowed him to engage with the younger generation, fostering an environment of learning and intellectual growth despite the lingering political tensions of the time.

In 1947, driven by personal aspirations and perhaps a desire for greater freedom, Bergel attempted to leave Romania clandestinely. However, his escape was thwarted when he was apprehended in Hungary. The Romanian authorities extradited him back to his homeland, where he faced severe consequences for what was deemed a fraudulent border crossing. Bergel was sentenced to 14 months in prison, but managed to escape from prison after serving 10 months.

Upon his return to Romania, Bergel was conscripted into military service, fulfilling his obligation between 1948 and 1949. This period coincided with the establishment of the communist regime in Romania, a time characterized by political repression and social transformation. After completing his military duties, Bergel turned to athletics, dedicating himself to performance sports in Brașov until 1956.

Parallel to his athletic endeavors, Bergel pursued higher education in the humanities. Between 1952 and 1954, he studied art history and philosophy part-time in Bucharest, the capital of Romania. This academic pursuit reflected his deepening interest in cultural and intellectual fields, which would later inform his literary and journalistic work. However, his educational aspirations were once again derailed by the oppressive political climate. In 1954, Bergel was arrested in Cluj (Klausenburg) on charges of "incitement to rebellion." This accusation was a common tactic used by the communist regime to suppress dissent and control intellectual discourse.

Bergel's arrest led to a one-year prison sentence, although he was released before serving the full term. Despite his release, he was prohibited from resuming his studies, effectively barring him from further academic advancement. This interruption marked a significant setback in Bergel's educational trajectory, reinforcing the challenges faced by intellectuals under the communist regime.

During his time in Cluj, Bergel formed connections with influential figures who would later support his literary and professional endeavors, including Alfred Margul-Sperber, Oscar Walter Cisek, and Erwin Wittstock. These relationships were instrumental in promoting Bergel's work and advocating for his rehabilitation.

In 1951, Bergel married Susanne Schunn, a union that would prove to be a cornerstone of his personal life. Together, they had a daughter and two sons, creating a family unit that provided emotional support amidst the tumultuous backdrop of his early career. Balancing his family responsibilities with his professional aspirations, Bergel sustained himself through literary and publishing activities. This period saw him engaging deeply with the literary community, contributing to German-language publications and cultivating his voice as a writer and journalist.

Between 1957 and 1958, Bergel worked as a cultural editor for the Volkszeitung, a German-language publication based in Brașov. This role positioned him at the heart of the German-speaking literary and cultural scene in Transylvania, allowing him to influence and contribute to contemporary discourse. However, his tenure at the Volkszeitung was cut short when he was dismissed without notice, a move attributed to political motivations.

Following his departure from the Volkszeitung, Bergel temporarily shifted his professional focus to the performing arts. He took up employment as a cellist at the musical theater in Brașov, leveraging his musical talents to sustain himself during this period of instability.

Trial and imprisonment

The year 1959 marked a significant turning point in Bergel's life, as he faced his third arrest by Romanian authorities. This arrest was precipitated by the publication of his historical short story Fürst und Lautenschläger ("The Prince and the Bard"), written 12 years earlier. The story, ostensibly set in the 17th century, employed historical figures and events as allegories to critique the contemporary communist regime. However, a colleague, Eginald Schlattner, revealed the double meaning embedded in the narrative, interpreting it as a veiled attack on communism. This revelation provided the Security forces with the justification to prosecute Bergel, demonstrating the regime's intolerance for subversive dissent cloaked in historical or literary guise.

During his trial, the military court, which prosecuted Bergel as part of the "group of German writers," sentenced him on September 15, 1959, in Brașov. He received a harsh sentence of 15 years of hard labor and an additional five years of loss of citizenship rights. The specific charge revolved around "Fürst und Lautenschläger," particularly the climactic confrontation between the prince and the bard. In the story, the prince attempts to coerce the bard into praising him, offering freedom in exchange for flattery. The bard's defiant response—"Your Highness, I am not a whore, and neither is my art!"—serves as a powerful statement of artistic and personal integrity. This exchange was interpreted by the authorities as a direct challenge to the regime's authority and an assertion of individual freedom against oppressive power.

Bergel's defense during the trial emphasized the historical context of his work. When questioned by the judge about the portrayal of personalities shaping history rather than the masses, Bergel clarified that his intent was to depict the universal struggle against tyranny, specifically referencing the revolt of various social strata in Brașov against the rule of Bathory. He asserted that the bard's notion of "red freedom" was a metaphor for the revolutionary spirit and the inherent desire for liberation from oppressive regimes. This explanation underscored Bergel's commitment to portraying resistance and the quest for freedom, themes that resonated deeply within the broader context of communist Romania.

Eginald Schlattner, a witness during the trial, corroborated Bergel's interpretation of "Fürst und Lautenschläger." He acknowledged that the story could be read in multiple ways, highlighting its political undertones as a critique of the oppressive regime. Schlattner noted that Bergel had provided him with a "code" for interpreting the narrative correctly, wherein the tyrant symbolized the current government. This acknowledgment further solidified the authorities' perception of Bergel's work as subversive, justifying the severe punishment he received.

Despite the severity of his sentence, Bergel's resilience remained unbroken. He served nearly three years of his 15-year sentence, enduring the harsh conditions of 18 different prisons and forced labor camps. His incarceration took him to various locations, including the lead mines at Baia Sprie, the Făgăraș fort, the Codlea transit prison, the "malmezon" in Bucharest, the military prison in Timișoara, and Security prisons in Arad, Curtici, and Brașov. Additionally, he was subjected to forced labor camps in Răchitoasa and on the Danube island Strâmba, as well as the underground fort no. 13 Jilava. These experiences of imprisonment and forced labor were indicative of the brutal repression faced by political prisoners under the communist regime.

Life after imprisonment

From 1962 to 1964, following his release from prison, Bergel was subjected to forced residence in the Bărăgan Plain—a region notorious for its harsh living conditions and use as a site for political exile. During his time in Bărăgan, he encountered Corneliu Coposu, a prominent Romanian politician and future leader of the Christian Democratic National Peasants' Party. This meeting was significant, as Coposu himself was a symbol of resistance against the communist regime, and their encounter likely reinforced Bergel's resolve to continue his intellectual and literary pursuits despite the oppressive circumstances.

Throughout his imprisonment and forced residence, Bergel maintained his literary endeavors, although many of his manuscripts were confiscated and lost, and others became part of his criminal file. His continued commitment to writing, even under duress, exemplified his dedication to his craft and his refusal to be silenced by the regime. After submitting 61 requests for pardon without success, Bergel was eventually released in 1962 as part of a general amnesty for political prisoners. This release allowed him to leave Bărăgan and return to Brașov, where he secured employment as a musician in the local orchestra, marking a temporary respite from his struggles.

In August 1968, Bergel was rehabilitated along with four fellow writers, a move that signified a temporary thaw in the regime's repression of intellectuals. This rehabilitation paved the way for his eventual emigration to the Federal Republic of Germany. Bergel's application for emigration was supported by notable figures such as Günter Grass, a renowned German writer, and Willy Brandt, who was then serving as the Foreign Minister of West Germany. Their intervention was crucial in facilitating Bergel's departure from Romania.

Bergel remained in Brașov until March 1968, when he emigrated to Germany, settling in Gröbenzell near Munich with his wife Susanne and their children. The early years of his life in Germany were fraught with challenges, as he navigated the complexities of establishing himself in a new country. Despite these difficulties, Bergel successfully resumed his literary career, contributing significantly to German literature and journalism.

Between 1970 and 1989, Bergel served as the editor-in-chief of the "Siebenbürgische Zeitung" ("Transylvanian Newspaper"), a publication based in Munich that catered to the Transylvanian German community in Germany. In this role, he played a pivotal part in maintaining the cultural and intellectual ties between Transylvanian Germans and their homeland, providing a platform for discourse and expression amidst the diaspora.

In addition to his editorial work, Bergel collaborated with Bayerischer Rundfunk (Bavarian Radio Broadcasting) as an external collaborator, further extending his influence within German media and literary circles.

From 1991 onwards, Bergel continued to engage with the intellectual community as a co-editor of the "Südostdeutsche Vierteljahresblätter," a publication focused on Southeastern German studies. This role allowed him to delve deeper into regional studies and contribute to the scholarly discourse surrounding Southeastern Europe and its diasporas.

Notable works

• Fürst und Lautenschläger ("Principele și bardul") (1956)
• Die Abenteuer des Japps ("Aventurile lui Japp") (1958)
• Rumänien – Porträt einer Nation ("România – portretul unei națiuni") (1968)
• Die Rennfüchse ("Vulpile de cursă") (1969)
• Im Feuerkreis, 10 Erzählungen ("În cercul de foc. Zece povestiri") (1972)
• Würfelspiele des Lebens: Vier Portraits bedeutender Siebenbürger, Conrad Haas, Johann Martin Honigberger, Paul Richter, Arthur Phleps, München 1972. ("Zarurile vieții: Patru portrete ale unor transilvăneni de seamă")
• Die Sachsen in Siebenbürgen nach dreißig Jahren Kommunismus ("Sașii transilvăneni după 30 de ani de comunism") (1975)
• Der Tanz in Ketten ("Dansul în lanțuri", "Dansul în cătușe") (1977)
• Siebenbürgen, Bilder einer europäischen Landschaft ("Transilvania, imagini ale unui ținut european") (1980)
• Gestalten und Gewalten. Essays, Aufsätze, Vorträge ("Forme și stihii") (1982)
• Heinrich Schunn: Ein Maler, sein Werk, seine Zeit, Edition Wort u. Welt, 1983
• Der Tod des Hirten oder die frühen Lehrmeister ("Moartea păstorului sau învățătorii din tinerețe") (1985)
• Hermann Oberth. Der mythische Traum vom Fliegen, 1985
• Das Venusherz ("Inima Venerei") (1987)
• Literaturgeschichte der Deutschen in Siebenbürgen (1987).
• ...und Weihnacht ist überall ("...și Crăciun e peste tot") (1988)
• Das Motiv der Freiheit ("Motivul libertății") (1988)
• Zikadensommer (Gedichte). 1991
• Zuwendung und Beunruhigung. Anmerkungen eines Unbequemen (1994)
• Kammermusik in Bronze und Stein: Der Bildhauer Hans Guggenberger (în colaborare cu Konrad Klein), Edition Wort u. Welt, 1994
• Dans în lanțuri. Roman. Traducere de George Guțu. Editura Arania, Brașov 1994
• Prosa – Lyrik (1995)
• Un poem de Radu Gyr și opt eseuri. Prefață de Peter Motzan, traducere de Mariana Lăzărescu, Editura Arania, Brașov 1995
• Erkundungen und Erkennungen. Notizen eines Neugierigen. Essays (1995)
• Wenn die Adler kommen (Când vin vulturii), Roman (Trilogie) (1996), handelt von einer Familie in Siebenbürgen. Teil 2.: Die Rückkehr der Wölfe (Întoarecerea lupilor). ISBN 3-7844-2582-8
• Când vin vulturii, 321 pagini, Editura Fundației Culturale Române, 1998, ISBN 973-577-113-6
• Im Spiegellicht des Horizonts (Lyrik) (1996)
• Bukowiner Spuren. Von Dichtern und bildenden Künstlern. Aachen: Rimbaud 2002. ISBN 3-89086-747-2
• Die Wiederkehr der Wölfe (2006),
• Wegkreuzungen - Dreizehn Lebensbilder, Editura Johannis Reeg, 2009, ISBN 978-3-937320-38-0
• Am Vorabend des Taifuns, Berlin: Editura Noack & Block 2010, ISBN 978-3-86813-002-7
• Judecătoarea și fiii ei - Povestiri, 192 pagini, Editura Ecou Transilvan, 2014, ISBN 978-606-730-027-7
• Dans în lanțuri, 250 pagini, Editura Ecou transilvan, 2015, ISBN 978-606-730-068-0
• Întoarecerea lupilor, 684 pagini, Editura Eikon, 2016, ISBN 978-606-711-427-0