Adolfo Kaminsky, a first-class forger and agent of the French Resistance, saved thousands of lives. He later used his counterfeiting skills for anticolonialist causes and became a renowned photographer. This episode explores his life, including his rigorous approach to forgery and his contributions to resistance movements worldwide. It also delves into his early life, involvement in the resistance, life in Algeria, and work as a counselor. The experiences of a 93-year-old forager who connects anti-colonial resistance and anti-fascism are also shared.
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Quick takeaways
Adolfo Kaminsky's forgeries saved countless lives by providing false papers to individuals fighting oppression and persecution.
Kaminsky's dedication to resistance extended beyond his own safety, as he refused payment for his services and put himself at risk to help others.
Deep dives
Adolfo Kaminsky: The Master Forger's Life
Adolfo Kaminsky, a talented forger, dedicated his skills to resisting inequality, segregation, racism, injustice, fascism, and dictatorship. From his early days creating false identity papers during the German occupation of France to his work in supporting various resistance movements around the world, Kaminsky's forgeries saved the lives of countless individuals. Working out of a secret laboratory, he manufactured new documents that were indistinguishable from legitimate ones. His dedication to his craft came from the understanding that the smallest error in these forged papers could be fatal. Kaminsky's passion for forging extended beyond the war period, as he later used his skills to support Algerian rebels, African anti-apartheid activists, and many others fighting against oppression. His life as a forger was a continuous act of resistance and a testament to his anti-fascist and anti-colonial beliefs.
From Resistance to Liberation: Kaminsky's Journey
Adolfo Kaminsky's life as a forger began during World War II when he assisted the resistance by creating forged documents. Kaminsky's passion for chemistry and dyeing allowed him to produce high-quality forgeries that saved many Jewish individuals from deportation. After the war, Kaminsky continued his activities, supporting movements of liberation and resistance around the world. He used his skills to create false papers for Algerian rebels, assisting their struggle against French colonial rule. Despite his initial support for the creation of a Jewish state, Kaminsky grew disillusioned by the anti-Arab racism he witnessed during a visit to Israel. His aim was to fight for the right of individuals to move freely and choose their place of exile, but he refused to participate in violent acts and instead focused on providing support through his forgery expertise.
The Legacy of Kaminsky's Forgeries
Adolfo Kaminsky's forgeries had far-reaching impacts on resistance movements and oppressed communities. His meticulous work and dedication saved countless lives by providing individuals with false papers to escape danger and persecution. From assisting anti-apartheid activists in South Africa to supporting Czech dissidents after the Prague Spring, Kaminsky's forged documents became invaluable tools for those fighting for freedom and justice. His commitment to resistance extended beyond his own safety, as he refused payment for his services and often jeopardized his own well-being to help others. Kaminsky's ability to transform himself into a shadow ensured his survival, but his true satisfaction came from avenging the deaths of loved ones and making a tangible difference in the lives of those facing injustice.
Adolfo Kaminsky, a first-class forger while still a teenager, saved thousands of lives as an agent of the French Resistance. After the war, he turned his counterfeiting skills towards anticolonialist causes while building his reputation as a photographer. In this episode of the LRB podcast, Adam Shatz reads his piece on Kaminsky, whom he met in 2019. 'Forgery wasn‘t just an art he perfected,' Shatz writes, 'but a vocation and an ethics.'