Joseph Joffo, author of the book 'A bag of marbles' has passed away

Elsa Zylberstein, Joseph Joffo, Christian Duguay and Patrick Bruel © Michel Isaac

Through his novel, published in 1973, which takes place during the Second World War, Joseph Joffo recounts the flight of two young brothers, Joseph and Maurice, aged 10 and 12, as they leave occupied France to take refuge in a so-called "free" zone. Happy hours of carefree childhood and more dangerous episodes alternate, always against a backdrop of malice and especially courage. Inspired by the author’s childhood, this autobiographical novel has established itself as a true classic evoking the condition of Jewish children persecuted during the Holocaust. The father of Joseph and Maurice, Roman Joffo, will die in deportation to the Auschwitz camp.

The impact of this testimony was crucial as it marked the young generations. Crowned by the French Academy in 1974, this novel was one of the greatest bookstore successes for decades. Translated into eighteen languages, reinforced by comic book adaptations, theater and cinema, the book by Joseph Joffo, "A Bag of Marbles" has been read and studied by many generations of children and adolescents. At the Mémorial de la Shoah, its adaptation into comic strip by Kris and Vincent Bailly (Futuropolis, 2011) was even, last year, the work supporting educational workshops for children.

On January 15, 2017, the Mémorial de la Shoah organized the preview of the film "A bag of marbles" by Christian Duguay, in the presence of Patrick Bruel, Elsa Zylberstein and Joseph Joffo at the Cinéma Gaumont Opéra. All the benefits of this evening were used to develop the projects implemented by the Memorial and in particular educational actions.

Joseph Joffo and the Ambassadors of Memory on January 27, 2017 at the Shoah Memorial © Michel Isaac

On January 27, 2017, when Joseph Joffo had walked down the steps of the E. J. Safra Auditorium of the Shoah Memorial at the end of the screening of the film by Christian Duguay, the Ambassadors of memory present did not immediately understand that it was indeed the little Joseph from the film who stood in front of them on the platform. Had he really existed? Was he still alive? When he finally introduced himself to them, many had been moved to tears before daring to ask him questions.

He had confided to them: "With Maurice, who is 88 years old, we have always remained inseparable!". Then he had mentioned some anecdotes about his childhood, the difficult separation with his parents, the lack, the father who had not returned, and some secrets that are not found in his story. This privileged meeting ended with the words "If tonight, when you return home, at least one of you tells his parents that he loves them and hugs them, then Maurice and I will have won our bet!"

Joseph Joffo also published about fifteen novels and tales for children, often co-written with other writers because he himself recognized some weaknesses in his pen. Also a screenwriter and actor, Joseph Joffo starred in three films. His last role was that of Kolb in 'L'Origine de la violence' by Elie Chouraqui, in 2016.

All our thoughts today go to his loved ones.