On 14 March, the museum welcomed a special visitor, Andrew Reiss. Shanghai was the first and most important stop on Andrew's tour of Asia—a journey to trace the footsteps of his parents and grandparents in the city.

Andrew told us that his father, Hans Reiss, and mother, Hannelore Wolf, came from Germany and Austria respectively, and fled Nazi persecution to seek refuge in Shanghai. To support themselves, Hannelore's father, Max Wolf, rented a shop near the Bund and opened a pub called 'Tabarin', where Hannelore worked as a waitress. One day, Hans, an accomplished pianist, walked into Tabarin hoping to find a job. And it was there that Hans and Hannelore met, fell in love, and eventually married.

Andrew's father, Hans (centre), performing at the Tabarin pub

Image source: William H. Hannon Library, Loyola Marymount University

Just as he was speaking enthusiastically in the exhibition hall, Andrew suddenly spotted a large photograph in the window featuring two familiar figures. "Isn't that my father and mother? I was just wondering if I might see their photos here! The photograph showed Hans and Hannelore at their wedding in Shanghai; Hans gazed lovingly at Hannelore, who was beaming with joy, full of hope for their new married life.' My mother had a very favourable impression of Shanghai; perhaps because she spent part of her refugee time in her father's tavern. Before the Japanese occupation, people were able to briefly forget the hardships of war amidst the laughter and merriment of the tavern."

Andrew poses for a photo with his parents, Hans and Hannelore

Shortly after taking a 'family photo' with his parents at the wedding spot, Andrew spotted his great-grandparents Max and Selma Wolf celebrating at their own Tabarin pub. Filled with delight, Andrew quickly snapped a photo and shared it with his brother James Reiss, who lives in Miami. "My brother was born in Shanghai in 1945! He's been longing to return to Shanghai too."

The couple in black in the background are Andrew's grandparents, Max and Selma.

Speaking of his parents' and grandparents' experiences in Shanghai, Andrew shared with emotion: "My father was reluctant to talk about that past, but fortunately my mother told me many stories of what happened in Shanghai. Yet I feel it is far from enough. I am so grateful to have been able to see them again here at the museum. " Andrew also stated that he would donate a video recording of his mother, Hannelore, recounting her life experiences and stories of Shanghai during a previous interview to the museum, in support of its research work.