It is a remarkable correspondence: for more than twenty years, from 1911 to 1932, Marie Skłodowska-Curie and Albert Einstein exchanged personal letters. Viadrina Prize winner Dr Ewa Łabno-Falęcka will speak about this exchange between two icons of science on Wednesday 9 September at 6.30 pm at the European University Viadrina Frankfurt (Oder). She initiated the publication of this correspondence, which had long been little known, and contributed to its international release. In conversation with Dr Małgorzata Szajbel-Keck from the Karl Dedecius Foundation, Ewa Łabno-Falęcka will talk about the work on the book and read from the letters. Anyone interested is warmly invited to attend the event in the Logensaal, Logenstraße 11, in Frankfurt (Oder).
The correspondence between Marie Skłodowska-Curie and Albert Einstein speaks of mutual respect and friendship, of science and social commitment – and, at the same time, of a Europe in a state of upheaval. The letters reveal the two-time Nobel Laureate and pioneer of radioactivity research, as well as the Nobel Laureate and creator of the theory of relativity, as human beings, and show how deeply they engaged with the political and social challenges of their time.
In the interview, Dr Ewa Łabno-Falęcka talks about the search for the scattered letters across several archives, about surprising discoveries and about the work involved in the translations. The discussion also focuses on questions of current relevance: What responsibility do scientists bear towards society? And what can the letters from Skłodowska-Curie and Einstein tell us today about science, friendship and Europe?
This public and free event is organised in collaboration with the Oekumenisches Europa-Centrum Frankfurt (Oder) e.V. It will be held in German with simultaneous interpretation into Polish. No registration is required. The book *Maria Skłodowska-Curie, Albert Einstein: Letters (1911–1932)*, published this year, will be available for purchase during the event for 50 euros in both German and Polish. Payment can only be made in cash.