Thursday July 6th at 7.30pm
This Talk is cancelled
Based on a heart-felt family memoir written by Felice Hardy, the talk focusses on the lives, and ultimately the escape to London from the Nazi-occupied Vienna in 1939, of the author’s grandparents. It also explores the terrible fate of those they left behind.
The author’s grandmother, Liesel, was the 1930 Tennis Champion of Austria and later beat Tim Henman’s grandmother at Wimbledon.
Liesl and her daughter, Felice’s mother also played doubles at Wimbledon, the only mother and daughter ever to do so.
Woven throughout this incredible story is the search for the author’s own identity. Felice was raised in an emotionally-ravaged existence beneath a blanket of denial. For half of her life she remained unaware of her family history. It took her seven years of research in seven countries to rebuild the fabric of her family. In May 2021 Felice received Austrian citizenship, as did her children, so her family has come full circle.
Felice Hardy is a journalist and author. She moved into journalism when offered a job at Vogue magazine. This was followed by a period as deputy editor of a ski magazine. She has co-written 18 travel guidebooks with her husband Peter.
Join Felice’s journey through the killing fields of the Third Reich, to arrival on the hallowed turf of Wimbledon.
Thursday 6th July Live at the Museum at 7.30pm
with simultaneous Live-stream for those unable to attend in person. The Live-stream film will be available for up to two weeks after the talk