On 24.11.2025, in the hall of the Community Center of the Athens Community Center, the presentation of Michael Frank's book "One Hundred Saturdays" (Ikaros Publications, translated by Spyros Koulouris) took place, on the subject of the story of Roditsa Stella Levi, a survivor of Auschwitz. At 102 today, Stella Levi lives in New York and was 92 when she began to tell her life story to Michael Frank in 2015 in a deep qualitative process of reminiscence and catharsis.
The event and the speakers were introduced on behalf of the Community Center by Mrs. Kaiti Albala.
The book was discussed by historian Odette Baron-Vassar, who placed the book in the constellation of similar books - testimonies about the Holocaust, emphasizing the particularities of Stella Levi's testimony, which she does not write herself but is addressed to her interlocutor. Michael Frank met Stella Levi for 100 Saturdays, recording her memories - sometimes nostalgic, from the pre-war life in the Jewish quarter of Rhodes, sometimes tragic, from the Nazi camps, but always fascinating. Of particular interest is the part of her post-war life, with immigration and permanent settlement in the USA. O. Baron-Vassar emphasized that the book captures a woman's reflection on many key issues and illuminates her long journey that unfolds over a century and two continents. The parallel screening of photographs, curated by the speaker, added immediacy, connecting the narrative with the protagonist and the author of the book.
Historian Alexandra Patrikiou, Assistant Professor at the University of Patras, specializing in teaching the Holocaust in education, spoke about the author's methodology and the quality of his bond with Stella Levi, which is reflected in the book, as well as her camp experience.
For his part, the translator of the Greek edition, Spyros Koulouris, spoke about the work of translation, emphasizing that this book and Stella's story, her character and mental strength, captivated him as well, even though he is not a professional translator. The result of the translation is excellent.
The intense interest of the audience was expressed in the discussion that concluded the event, during which, among other things, it was emphasized that the book constitutes an important addition to Greek-language bibliography as it is the first testimony in Greek about Rhodes.