Jude Law. The British actor recited a famous letter by a German-Jewish writer. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

Actor Jude Law on Sunday recited a famous letter written by a German-Jewish novelist and playwright to the Nazi occupant of his home in Berlin.

In the satirical open letter, Lion Feuchtwanger begins by saying, “Dear Sir, How do you like my house? Do you find it pleasant to live in?” He later asks about his library, saying, “I wonder to what use you put the library. I have been told that books are not very popular in Nazi Germany. In case you should decide to have the bookcases ripped out, be careful not to damage the wall.”

He also tells the Nazi not to let his house “get into a mess.” He says building and furnishing the residence took him and his wife “a lot of effort,” but “running and maintaining it won’t take a lot of effort.”

“Please take care of it. Just a little,” Feuchtwanger wrote. “I’m also saying it in your own interest. Your Feuhrer has promised that his rule will last a 1,000 years. Thus, I’m assuming you will soon be in the position of negotiating the house of return to me.”

Law was among the many British celebrities who performed on Sunday in northern France at the “Jungle” refugee camp, which aims to draw attention to the plight of refugees facing eviction. The performance was organized by the Letters Live group, which invites famous people to read letters written by historical figures in front of a live audience.

Feuchtwanger, who died in 1958, was visiting the United States when Adolf Hitler came to power in January 1933. Fearful of the situation at home, Feuchtwanger decided not to return to Germany and instead went with his wife into exile in France. While he was gone, SS men seized his assets and looted his home. The German-Jewish writer published his open letter in March 1935, in the newspaper Pariser Tageblatt. Feuchtwanger and his wife never returned to Germany. After living in France they moved to California.

Watch Jude Law’s performance below.