Freud’s Newly Discussed Letter Supports a United Europe
This piece introduces a newly discussed letter from Sigmund Freud to Richard Coudenhove-Kalergi, founder of the Pan-European Union, and frames it as especially relevant amid today’s political tensions. The excerpt explains how the letter was tracked down through archival research and preserved through wartime upheaval. It also suggests that the correspondence reveals Freud’s emotional response to the political crises of his era and his support for the idea of a united Europe.
Why the Letter Matters Now
The article opens by linking current concerns about autocratic governance, war, and pressure on democracy with Freud’s 1929 letter, presenting the document as unusually timely.
How the Letter Was Found
It describes how clues from Bernd Posselt and the help of Martin Posselt and Stephan Baier led researchers to the letter in the Swiss Archives Cantonales Vaudoises.
A Survival Story Through War and Archive Dispersal
The text explains that Coudenhove-Kalergi’s papers were confiscated after the Nazi takeover, later taken by the Red Army, and only a few private items appear to have survived through the efforts of loyal employees.
Freud’s Support for the European Idea
The excerpt indicates that the letter contains unexpected evidence of Freud’s deep emotional reaction to political events and his support for the Pan-European unification movement.
Key takeaways
- A newly highlighted Freud letter is tied to the idea of a united Europe.
- The letter was rediscovered through archival research and historical clues.
- The article connects the 1929 correspondence to contemporary debates about democracy and European self-determination.
- The document survived wartime confiscation under unusual circumstances.
Source: Slavoj Substack, "I LOVE HIM WHO CRAVES THE IMPOSSIBLE" (published 2026-06-06), https://slavoj.substack.com/p/i-love-him-who-craves-the-impossible Read the original post on Substack.