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During the period of famine in 1933 15 I was a crew leader in a carpenters’ crew working at the construction of a big apartment house for plant employees. We received food coupons, food packages and 300 grams of bread for lunch. We were building a house at the corner of Havannaya and Lanjeronovskaya Street in the very center of the town. The turnkey construction lasted four years.
In 1935 our son Syoma was born. In 1938 Misha was born and in 1939 our son Tolik followed. We still lived in a one-room apartment. There was a wardrobe, beds, a small table and a few chairs in our room. There was also a pram and a cradle where Syoma and Misha slept. Tolik slept in the pram.
The children often fell ill. They contracted illnesses from one another. All three of them had scarlet fever and diphtheria. My wife was having a hard time looking after three children. Syoma went to kindergarten and Misha went to a nursery school.
In 1935 I went to work as a carpenter with a theatrical company. When the Finnish War 16 began in 1939 I received a subpoena to the military registry office. When they heard that I had three children they let me go home. Sometime later, however, I had to go to serve in a fire brigade. We lived in a barrack and did the job of firemen. I was there as long as the Finnish War lasted. When I returned home I resumed my work at the theatrical company.
In 1935 our son Syoma was born. In 1938 Misha was born and in 1939 our son Tolik followed. We still lived in a one-room apartment. There was a wardrobe, beds, a small table and a few chairs in our room. There was also a pram and a cradle where Syoma and Misha slept. Tolik slept in the pram.
The children often fell ill. They contracted illnesses from one another. All three of them had scarlet fever and diphtheria. My wife was having a hard time looking after three children. Syoma went to kindergarten and Misha went to a nursery school.
In 1935 I went to work as a carpenter with a theatrical company. When the Finnish War 16 began in 1939 I received a subpoena to the military registry office. When they heard that I had three children they let me go home. Sometime later, however, I had to go to serve in a fire brigade. We lived in a barrack and did the job of firemen. I was there as long as the Finnish War lasted. When I returned home I resumed my work at the theatrical company.
Location
Ukraine
Interview
Isaac Klinger