衞浩世說，平日他有時候就進去走走，當作是公園一樣。「將來我也會在那裡。」

今年書展結束，我來這裡看他了。

搭火車來的路上，想著從1989年第一次來法蘭克福認識他，後來三十多年的來往，心情起伏。2000年他把法蘭克福書展送上巔峰，從1號舘到10號舘的規模，是今天難以想像的。也在那一年，他從書展主席位置上退休，為他的書展生涯寫下一個段落。而接下來繼續他的寫作及面對多重病痛的階段，那種毅力及豁達，其實毫不遜色於他的書展傳奇。

去年他在病床上最後一通打給我告別的電話，沒能接到本來深以為憾。今天來看他，和他的墓牌握握手，舒解很多。他太太Ingrid說，正式的墓碑還要些時間才好。

今天我挑了些花送他。我跟Ingrid說，下次我會帶個小鏟子，來種些什麼。

祝福Peter 安息。也祝福Ingrid健康平安，一切都好。

After the Frankfurt Book Fair, I often visited Peter Weidhaas at his home.

Outside the large living room window, you could see an old cemetery dating back several centuries. Historically, this was a place where Germany and France fought over repeatedly, and many soldiers from both nations are buried there. Because of its historical meanings, when the Allied forces bombed Frankfurt during World War II, they deliberately avoided this area.

Peter once told me that he often walked there on ordinary days, treating it like a park.

“One day, I’ll be there too,” he said.

This year, after the book fair ended, I came here to see him.

On the train ride, I thought back to when I first met him in 1989, during my first Frankfurt Book Fair, and to the more than thirty years of friendship that followed.

In 2000, he brought the Frankfurt Book Fair to its peak—the scale from Hall 1 to Hall 10 was beyond what we can imagine today. That same year, he retired as Director of the Fair, closing one remarkable chapter of his career. In the years that followed, as he continued writing while facing serious illness, his perseverance and grace were no less extraordinary than his legendary achievements in the book world.

Last year, when he called to say goodbye from his hospital bed, I missed the call and regretted it deeply.

Today, visiting him and touching his nameplate brought a sense of relief. His wife, Ingrid, told me that the permanent tombstone will take some more time to be finished.

I brought him flowers today. I told Ingrid that next time, I’ll bring a small spade—to plant something there for him.

Wishing Peter peace.

And sending all my best wishes to Ingrid.