Brief aan Jan Veth Possibly 1900 - 1931

This letter, penned by Etha Fles on December 31, 1900, invokes powerful symbols of renewal and hope as the year turns. She mentions the eucalyptus, a tree seen as cleansing and invigorating, its essence believed to purify the air. This idea of purification can be seen through history. Think of ancient rituals involving incense, designed to cleanse both the physical and spiritual realms. Fles connects this with "Anna, the lovely Christmas star." The star, a timeless beacon, symbolizes guidance and divine light, cutting through the darkness. This light is further reinforced by Fles, when she comments that it "will bloom quietly in her garden, under the Sun and Nazareth Tower". The choice of these symbols isn't arbitrary; they resonate with a deep-seated human desire for regeneration. From the evergreen boughs adorning pagan rituals to the star guiding the Magi, these images carry a transhistorical weight, resurfacing across cultures. They speak to the subconscious, a collective memory of hope amidst uncertainty. The cyclical nature of the year mirrors this recurring motif, offering a promise of rebirth and renewal, a comfort that transcends time.