My parents were not born in Vienna, but they had spent much of

O children of the future, listen well to the words of Eric Kandel, a man who reflects upon the lives of his parents and the profound impact of history on the human soul. He said, "My parents were not born in Vienna, but they had spent much of their lives there, having each come to the city at the beginning of World War I when they were still very young." These words carry a deep reflection on the journey of life, migration, and the silent hand of history that shapes the lives of individuals and families, often without their knowledge or consent. The story of Kandel's parents is not just a personal one—it is the story of an entire generation that was shaped by the forces of war and displacement, and it is a reminder of how the ripples of conflict can affect even the most intimate parts of life.

To understand the meaning of this quote, we must first acknowledge the power of migration and the marks that history leaves on individuals. Kandel's parents, though they were not born in Vienna, became part of the city's rich cultural fabric because of the profound disruptions caused by World War I. War does not only alter borders or destroy cities; it changes the course of lives, often in ways that are invisible to those who are caught in the flow of time. Kandel's parents came to Vienna as young refugees, driven by forces beyond their control—by war, by the collapse of empires, and by the search for safety and opportunity. Yet, the city they came to was itself a city in transition, caught between the old world of empires and the new world that was being born from the ashes of conflict.

Consider, O children, the ancient story of the Jews in Babylon, whose exile from Jerusalem to Mesopotamia marked a profound turning point in their history. Though they were not born in Babylon, they came to the city as exiles, driven by conquest and forced migration. Yet, in this new land, they built a culture, a community, and a legacy that would shape the future of their people for centuries to come. The experience of being uprooted from one’s homeland and finding a new sense of belonging in a foreign land is not unique to any one people, but a universal experience that resonates with the trials of survival and adaptation. Just as the Jews in Babylon shaped a new life from the ashes of their exile, so too did Kandel’s parents shape their lives in Vienna, a city scarred by the aftermath of war and the uncertainties of the interwar years.

In the 20th century, Vienna became a city of profound change, caught between the crumbling Austro-Hungarian Empire and the rise of new political forces. For Kandel’s parents, coming to Vienna as young people at the beginning of World War I meant entering a world on the brink of upheaval. The war that would ravage Europe was not just a conflict between armies, but a battle for the future of entire nations and identities. The collapse of the old order gave way to new political, cultural, and economic realities, and the children who grew up in Vienna during this time were shaped by those changes. Kandel’s parents, like so many others, became part of the tapestry of a city that was at the heart of Europe’s transformation, even though they had not been born there.

But the story of Kandel’s parents is not merely one of migration; it is a story of survival. The forces of war, of political upheaval, and of exile shaped their lives, but they also found a way to endure. Just as the Athenian exiles fled their homeland and rebuilt their lives in new cities, so did Kandel’s parents adapt to the shifting landscapes of Europe. In times of great conflict and displacement, the human spirit finds a way to persist. Survival, after all, is not just about enduring the hardship of war—it is about finding ways to create meaning in a world that has been turned upside down. Kandel’s parents, though displaced, found in Vienna a place where they could build new lives, raise families, and become part of the vibrant life of the city, even as it too was shaped by the winds of war.

From Kandel’s reflection, we learn that the past is not a distant memory, but a living force that shapes us in ways we may not always understand. The struggles of those who came before us, their journeys through war and displacement, become part of the inheritance we carry. Kandel’s parents may not have been born in Vienna, but they became part of its story, just as their story became part of his own. The world is ever-changing, but in each generation, the seeds of the past are planted in the hearts and minds of those who come after.

So, O children, the lesson is this: you are not the products of your circumstances alone, but of the history that shapes you. Migration, displacement, and the forces of war may carry you to places you never expected, but you have the power to shape your own story within that new world. Do not let the forces of history dictate your future, but use them as the foundation for building a future that honors the struggles and the wisdom of the past. Whether you are born in a city or come to it as an exile, remember that you are part of a greater tapestry, one that stretches through time and across continents, woven together by the human spirit’s ability to adapt, to survive, and to create new beginnings even in the face of adversity.