Researching Central European diasporas in Republican China (1912-1949)

Frederick Reiss/Reisz Frigyes

The Raoul Wallenbergs Of China – Central European Diasporas And Jewish Refugee Relief In Republican-Era Shanghai [ZOOM Online Event]

October 28, 2020 by Matyas Mervay Leave a Comment

On October 22, I had the honor to present my research on some of the most interesting post-Habsburg Central European lives in Republican China. Those who tuned in the Royal Asiatic Society’s Shanghai Branch’s Zoom event were introduced to the fascinating political backdrop and personal stories of Jewish emigrants fleeing Hitler’s Third Reich to Shanghai and their locally settled benefactors: the Austrians, the Czechoslovaks, and the Hungarians.

Dr. Frederick Reiss, Austro-Hungarian Master of the Shanghai Freemason Lodge Lux Orientis

October 19, 2020 by Matyas Mervay Leave a Comment

On May 6, 1934, friends and family assembled to bid a final farewell to Mr. Anton Felberbaum (b. in Vienna 1901), who died at his home on Jinkee Road under tragic circumstances. An Austrian by birth with a war record, the deceased was a member of the freemason lodge Lux Orientis of Shanghai. Master Dr. Frederick Reiss spoke on behalf of Felberbaum’s brothers, then prayers were offered.*

The banner of the Shanghai freemason lodge Lux Orientis; note the Temple of Heaven (天壇) and bagua (八卦) embroidery (L) and Frederick Reiss’ name (M)(Liveauctioneers.com) AND Dr. F. Reiss in 1933 (Israel’s Messenger via Brill)

"I Fled to Shanghai" - The Viennese Journalist Ladislaus Frank and His Hungarian Memoir June 30, 2023
Ready to go down a transcultural rabbit hole? Learn a lot with minimal effort! Take 10 minutes to scroll through quickly the adventurous life of a restless journalist from early 20th-century Budapest to Vienna to Shanghai. If you had enough, that’s fine. If not, go deeper! Immerse yourself and spend 30+ minutes in the world of Ladislaus/László Frank (about w
Matyas Mervay
An Exciting Map of Harbin for Tourists in 1926 January 25, 2023
Many thanks to Polish kharbinetz and Manchuria expert Jerzy Czajewski for sharing this fantastic finding! This exciting English-language map of Harbin was issued in 1926 by the Japanese Tourist Board. Check out the backside for a short description of the city's neighborhoods and for any information that any 1920s visitor should know! [caption id=
Matyas Mervay
Chinese Diplomat in Vienna Wants to Ban 1936 China Documentary Made by Post-Habsburg Cinematographers March 9, 2022
The leading Chinese diplomat in Vienna wanted to ban ‘So lebt China’ (= This is how China lives), a 1936 movie produced by post-Habsburg cinematographers in Zurich for its negative misrepresentation of China. In a truly Austro-Hungarian production by the Swiss studio Praesens we are introduced to 1930s rural China on the eve of the Sino-Japanese War, se
Matyas Mervay
The Raoul Wallenbergs Of China – Central European Diasporas And Jewish Refugee Relief In Republican-Era Shanghai [ZOOM Online Event] October 28, 2020
On October 22, I had the honor to present my research on some of the most interesting post-Habsburg Central European lives in Republican China. Those who tuned in the Royal Asiatic Society's Shanghai Branch's Zoom event were introduced to the fascinating political backdrop and personal stories of Jewish emigrants fleeing Hitler’s Third Reich to Sha
Matyas Mervay
Dr. Frederick Reiss, Austro-Hungarian Master of the Shanghai Freemason Lodge Lux Orientis October 19, 2020
On May 6, 1934, friends and family assembled to bid a final farewell to Mr. Anton Felberbaum (b. in Vienna 1901), who died at his home on Jinkee Road under tragic circumstances. An Austrian by birth with a war record, the deceased was a member of the freemason lodge Lux Orientis of Shanghai. Master Dr. Frederick Reiss spoke on behalf of Felberbaum's bro
Matyas Mervay