Peggy Parnass, Notable Author and Witness of the Nazi Era, Passes Away

Peggy Parnass, a prominent author, columnist, actress, and witness to the atrocities of the Nazi regime, has passed away at the age of 97 in Hamburg, surrounded by family and friends, as confirmed by a family spokesperson.

Recognized for her incisive court reports published between 1970 and 1978 in the magazine Konkret, Parnass was celebrated for her contributions to journalism, earning numerous accolades throughout her career. She was not only a keen observer of societal injustices but also an active advocate against intolerance and the erasure of history. Parnass believed in the importance of civic engagement, stating that it was essential for self-respect to strive for change.

Born to a Polish Jewish father and a half-Portuguese mother, Parnass faced unimaginable loss during her childhood as her parents were murdered in the Treblinka concentration camp. In 1939, she was evacuated with her younger brother to Stockholm via a children's transport, where they were placed in various foster homes. After her education in Stockholm, London, and Paris, she returned to her hometown and worked as a language teacher, film critic, author, and actress.

Among her notable works is Prozesse 1970-1978, a compilation of her court reports that received significant acclaim. Other important publications include Unter die Haut (1983) and her autobiographical anthology Süchtig nach Leben (1990). Throughout her life, Parnass was vocal against governmental oppression and advocated for the marginalized in society. She expressed that her sense of fulfillment came from witnessing collective action for causes she cared about and from receiving the support of audiences during her public readings.

Her dedication to social justice and journalism was recognized with multiple awards, including the Joseph Drexel Prize for outstanding achievements in journalism, the Biermann-Ratjen Medal from the City of Hamburg, and the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany. Following an accident in late 2019, she resided in a senior living facility in Hamburg's St. Georg district.

In 2021, Parnass was honored as an honorary member by the German PEN Center, acknowledging her lifelong commitment to democracy and human rights. The organization emphasized her courage and persistence in combating fascism and oppression, even in the face of decades of antisemitism and threats to her life.