Interview

“Thank you for seeing me for this interview, Paul, I am very grateful.

I am grateful to you too. After all it’s not every day that I can speak with my father’s editor.

If you don’t mind I’d like to get into the heart of the subject. Are you ok proceeding with the questions I sent to you?

Yes indeed, and thanks again for letting me know what you intended to talk about.

Where do you live now, and what do you do?

Student

I live and work in Berlin, and I am a student at the university there. The place where I live is near Viktoria Park. You know that my parents lived there, during their first visits, before they settled in Wedding. I rent a small studio, in fact not so small, on Eylauer Strasse, not far from where they rented a smaller place back in 2014.

How does it feel to live in that part of the city that was so loved by your parents?

Well, I can easily imagine them here, walking in the park, going exercising on Tempelhofer Feld, visiting someone dear to them on Fürbringerstrasse… I know my dad’s first choice, when they were looking for an apartment, was here, southern Kreuzberg, near the park or not far from it. They had seen something they liked on Ritterstrasse, but apparently it did not work out, I am not sure why not. I don’t think at that stage they found negotiating for a place where to live not all easy. Even after they’d moved to Seestrasse, they continued to come here from time to time. But of course after their move to Wedding they visited Brandenburg extensively, away from Berlin.

Tell me a little about your studies.

Lagrange

I am studying mathematics here at Humboldt university, I am now in my third year, working on a PHD on Lagrange theory. 

Have you published any of your work yet?

Only a short study on the Three Body Problem, which has been peer reviewed. You can read it on Scholarpedia. I intend to continue in this direction. I have a wonderful tutor, Magda, who wants me to do another thesis once I have completed this one. I also have an interest in astrophysics.

What created this interest for you, Paul?

2025

Lots of things. You contributed to my interest when you published some of dad’s stories. I also got hold of my dad’s computer, with my mother’s help, and am now working on his non fiction writing. As you can imagine, I speak with my mum often, over the phone, and when we meet, about their stay here, about my dad’s work.

Paul, I do not want to invoke anything painful to you and your family, but how much do you know about your dad’s illness?

Not much, to be honest. I was five when Julian died – but you must remember that this is still in your future, since he died in 2025. I intend to understand the circumstances, what led to it, and speak to the people who knew him.

Yes, the timeline is a little confusing. But still, we can go, if you will, a little further. You’ve read your dad’s account of their time in Berlin haven’t you? What are your present thoughts?

Plague

I have not concluded on anything. In part I am too busy with my studies. Also I do not want to harass my mum, Sarah. I want to take the time to understand Julian’s interests, he had many, the inspiration for some his writings, for example the story of the owl, which I found haunting.

Many readers have. In fact I am not sure if Julian ever finished the story.

He was still writing it when the plague struck in Berlin. Things became difficult for my parents then, and later when they were back in the UK, there was the war.

I was not going to question you on this. Evidently, by your time, 2037, isn’t it, things must have come down.

As you know we have to be careful not to break the thread. Let’s just say that things have much improved around here since then. Yes, we live in peace.

2037

Paul, I am again very thankful for giving me much time, and your frank answers to my questions. Is there anything you wish to tell my readers?

I think you have now finished publishing my dad’s account of their time here. It’s worth reading and meditating about it. He also wrote a prophetic account of the war East, “Viktoria Park”. Are you publishing it?

I have started, with one or two chapters, I need to look at the text I have. I may have to clarify some details with you, now that you have Julian’s originals.

I would be happy to help, time permitting. Thank you again, and good luck.“

Background

“Erkundung der Eylauer Straße in Berlin

Die Eylauer Straße befindet sich im Berliner Bezirk Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg, Ortsteil Kreuzberg. Sie verläuft von der Monumentenstraße bis zur Dudenstraße und hat die Postleitzahl 10965.

Zuständigkeiten und Öffentlicher Nahverkehr

• Ortsteil: Kreuzberg
• Postleitzahl: 10965
• Öffentlicher Nahverkehr: Zone A, Buslinien 104 und 140, U-Bahn-Linie 6 (Haltestelle Platz der Luftbrücke)

Immobilienmarkt

• Eylauer Straße 13: Wohnungen und Häuser zum Kauf und Mieten
• Eylauer Straße 22: Altbau-Wohnungen mit zeitgeistigem Flair

Geschichte

• Die Straße wurde am 9. Januar 1901 nach der Schlacht bei Preußisch Eylau von 1807 benannt, die zwischen französischen Truppen unter Napoleon und preußisch-russischen Truppen unter General Bennigsen stattfand.

Weitere Informationen

• Die Eylauer Straße hat eine Länge von etwa 300 Metern und ist Teil des Kreuzberger Stadtteils.
• Die Straße bietet eine gemischte Bebauung aus Wohnhäusern, Geschäften und Dienstleistungen.”

<< Brandenburg

>> Monumentenstrasse