Barbara Yelin reflects on process with Spanish RTVE
On April 16, 2025, the Spanish RTVE (Radiotelevisión Española) published a feature on Barbara Yelin’s Spanish translation graphic novel Emmie Arbel. The Colour of Memory on its website. The article brings a brief biography of Emmie Arbel, a child survivor of the Holocaust and the narrator of Yelin’s book, as well as the story of the meeting of the two and their collaboration on the graphic narrative. Talking to RTVE, Yelin also reflects upon the instrumental role of the SCVN project and its emphasis on visual testimony in prompting her to tell Emmie’s story in the format of a graphic narrative:
“The motivation for my work is, of course, also political,” she tells us. “Now, when we see dangerous fascists emerging and growing in Germany, in Europe, and around the world , we need—in order to understand and combat this enormous danger—to learn, be aware of, and reflect on the fascist past of Nazi Germany .”
“”But my motivation has also been much more than that. I’m so happy to have been able to talk with Emmie, who is such a special, rebellious, humorous, outspoken, kind, and young person . I was very lucky that Emmie dedicated her time and trust to me. Only on that basis could this book be developed.”
“And I was also very happy to collaborate with so many researchers, historians, experts… on this great international project, which allowed me to meet and exchange ideas with other great international artists.”
Emmie Arbel. El colour de los recuerdos was translated into Spanish by Julia Gómez Sáez and published by Garbuix Books in March 2025. For more details, please click here.
For the original feature on RTVE: El Cómic, please click here.