Brief aan Jan Veth Possibly 1922 - 1929

This is a letter, penned by Jean Pierre Moquette on July 9, 1922, to Jan Veth. Moquette, writing from Weltevreden, expresses intimate thoughts about friendship and intellectual kinship. At the time of writing, Moquette was living in the Dutch East Indies, now Indonesia, where the cultural and political landscape was heavily influenced by Dutch colonialism. The act of writing and maintaining connections with friends like Veth in the Netherlands speaks to the personal networks that sustained individuals across vast distances. The mention of academic figures like Professor Krom situates Moquette within intellectual circles of the time. The letter reveals a longing for connection and a deep appreciation for those who offered intellectual and emotional support. Moquette writes about the joy he feels receiving letters from his friends. He expresses this event as a 'feestdag', which translates to 'holiday'. The line "Krom lis een beste brave Kerel on hoe meer je hem leert Kennen des te meer valthy mee." translates to 'Krom is a good man, the more you know him, the more he is worth'. This expresses a sense of shared identity, a profound valuing of mutual understanding. The letter is both a personal and historical artifact, providing a glimpse into the relationships of the time, whilst reflecting on themes of longing, connection, and identity.