Love in Exile by Ayşe Kulin

Author:Ayşe Kulin [Kulin, Ayşe]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781503934955
Publisher: AmazonCrossing, Seattle
Published: 2016-06-13T18:30:00+00:00

23

A Run of Bad Luck

Muhittin paused on the steps in front of the dignitaries’ box and gazed down on the milling crowd below, his eye lingering on the ladies’ gaily colored dresses and hats, that rippling field of summer flowers. What a remarkable sight, he thought as he carefully positioned his new camera and captured the scene forever—in black and white, unfortunately—for his parents.

Before he sent the photograph, he would write on the back: Weekend at the Ankara Hippodrome. He wished he could take a self-portrait for his big brother, who was quite a sharp dresser and would appreciate the dapper figure Muhittin cut that day in one of the custom-tailored white linen suits and straw-colored silk shirts, complete with a hand-embroidered MK monogram on the left breast, his mother had shipped to Ankara at great expense. It was understood that Muhittin would have to look his best as he accompanied Ankara’s overbearing governor on various tours of inspection and official business.

Muhittin had only recently come to realize why the governor seemed to require his constant company: in addition to the daily demands of his new post, lately he had been expected to perform certain duties that were well outside of his job description.

First, the governor had barged into his office two months ago, demanded to know if he spoke German and, without waiting for an answer, as usual, said, “You must be fluent, you studied in Berlin. Report to the Ministry of Education at two o’clock on the dot this afternoon, Muhittin Bey!”

“But sir, today I am—”

“Change your plans. It is absolutely critical that you be there. Give them your name at the door, and you will be taken straight into the meeting room to act as the interpreter for the minister himself. Why are you looking at me like that? The minister’s interpreter has taken ill. They needed a replacement, and I suggested you.”

“What does this meeting concern?”

“As you know, Hitler’s Civil Service Law has resulted in the dismissal of thousands of Jewish civil servants, from professors to judges. The representatives of an organization formed to help Jewish scholars and scientists secure employment in other countries is meeting with representatives of the government today. The president wishes to appoint some of these highly qualified émigrés to our new professorships and hospitals. The minister of education is chairing a meeting today to negotiate the details. Muhittin Bey, we cannot rely on just any interpreter. Be there.” The governor was just leaving the room when he turned, threw Muhittin a meaningful look, and said, “Don’t forget, you’re acting on the express wishes of the president.”

Directly after lunch, a slightly resentful Muhittin walked to the ministry building. He was shown a place at a long table headed by the minister of education, Dr. Reşit Galip, immediately to the right of whom sat an elderly professor by the name of Malche and the renowned pathologist Herr Schwartz. Seated around the table were various high-ranking bureaucrats, academics, and members of the Reform Commission. Muhittin sat down and started interpreting.

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