Pe'l Schlechter

Luxembourg has lost one of its most creative minds. Comic book pioneer and author Pe'l Schlechter has died at the age of 105, just months after an exhibition devoted to his exceptional work was held at Konviktsgaart, where he spent his final years.

Considered one of the pioneers of comic art in Luxembourg, Schlechter designed posters for the National Lottery and the Foire for decades. On the artistic side, he is known for the stories of rascals "De Bim an de Jopi", published after the Second World War, as well as numerous comic strip series for the Revue weekly and contributions to Lëtzebuerger Land, Nos Cahiers, and Warte-Perspectives.

Forced into the Wehrmacht

It was only at an advanced age that the Limpertsberg native began writing down other stories. "De Pol muss an de Krich" gathers autobiographical testimonies from the time he was forcibly incorporated into the Wehrmacht before hiding in the Netherlands. The book, published by Editions Binsfeld, earned him the Buchpräis (Book Prize) in 2013, at the age of 92.

With his brother Ger Schlechter, he was also honoured in 1995 with the Dicks-Rodange-Lentz plaque. Those who knew him all testify to his lucid view of society and life, his humour, his fine irony, and his optimism.