There are symbols in this world that are so powerful or full of history they do not need words. My photo for this week includes such a symbol – probably one of the most controversial symbols in history. it comes with a long personal story behind it. I am trying my best to keep it short:
I had to find a copy of this infamous book and had been on the look-out for one on the internet. I never expected to find exactly what I had been looking for in a book store in Johannesburg. But I did.
I walked out of the shop with mixed feelings, just having spent my yearly book budget in one go on one book – on one book that very likely has not been read by its previous owner(s) and may not get read by its future owner either.
We had one copy in our family’s possession which was most likely given to my grandfather after his time served in World War 2 or when he got married to my grandmother (newlyweds were given this book instead of the Bible at their wedding). In either situation this book was given out for free. About 10 million copies of the book were sold or given out by the end of World War 2.
When I got home I put the book down on our kitchen table. When I turned around and looked back at it I saw this scene:
I hadn’t planned on including this book in my x-frame selection – as it was I had gone out to this book shop to take a photograph of the book shop (last week’s feature image). I had bagged my photo of the week already.
Anyway the scene seemed striking to me so I pulled out my x100s again and took a few photographs:
Keeping the book’s history in mind I thought the style of the table and chairs in the background was a most fitting scene.
I don’t know how this book ended up here but my guess is, the book itself could write a book about itself.
And now, after all this time, it is going to be returned to its country of origin.
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