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When at University, I was eager to do scientific work. In 1944 I went to the Institute of Physical Chemistry of the Academy of Sciences that had reevacuated from Ufa looking for a job. Deputy director told me that the only vacancy he could offer me was logistics lab assistant. Since I was Head of the Technical Control Department at the plant I had some experience and I agreed to take up this position until there was another vacancy associated with scientific research work. During our conversation Academician Brodski, a Jew, came into the office. Before the war he was a well-known specialist in heavy water area. Deputy director handed my application form to him.
Mr. Brodski looked through my documents and said ‘No, we can’t employ an A-student of the University as a lab assistant. Take another look: perhaps you will find another position'. I was employed as a lab assistant, but to the chemical department and in a year I was promoted to the position of junior scientific employee.
Lev had graduated from Radio Engineering Faculty of Kiev Industrial Institute before the war. After he returned to Kiev he became Director of Ukrainian Radio Trust. I remember the first radio programs in Ukrainian: about Soviet holidays – 1 May and October revolution [November, 7]. They were concerts and greeting of officials.
Boris continued his studies at the University in Kiev. He had studied at the Mechanic Mathematics faculty at Kiev University for two years before the war.
9 May 1945, Victory Day, was the happiest day. This was the holiday that didn’t need any administrative prearrangement. When we heard this announcement on the radio we ran to work. This was a warm day when chestnut trees had just begun to bloom. Here was a spontaneous parade. People went out to march hugging and kissing each other. This was the happiest day I could remember. It was more important than any other holiday and it united all people. This was the brightest day in my life.
Everything was in blossom. Alfred and I went for a walk. We came near the Opera Theater and there was a registry office nearby. Alfred said ‘Let’s drop in and register our marriage’. I said ‘I don’t have any documents with me’. He replied ‘I do’, He had my passport with him. We decided to get married when we were in Buzuluk, but since we all lived in a small room there we couldn’t even consider having another tenant. After we registered our marriage at the registry office we went to a ‘Mineral water’ small store across the street from the Opera Theater. There was a private bakery there. We scratched some money in our pockets to buy a bottle of Champaign and cakes. We went home and celebrated our wedding. Our parents were very happy for us.
After the wedding Alfred and I lived in my parents’ apartment in Kostyolnaya Street, we didn’t have a choice. Parents liked Alfred. In 1946 our son Georgi was born. After the war all employees were obliged to attend parades on Soviet holidays. This was horrible – they could even fire people if they missed a parade. I remember going to a parade with my one-year-old son in his winter coat just because I had to be there. My colleagues took turns to carry Georgi on their shoulders.
Mr. Brodski looked through my documents and said ‘No, we can’t employ an A-student of the University as a lab assistant. Take another look: perhaps you will find another position'. I was employed as a lab assistant, but to the chemical department and in a year I was promoted to the position of junior scientific employee.
Lev had graduated from Radio Engineering Faculty of Kiev Industrial Institute before the war. After he returned to Kiev he became Director of Ukrainian Radio Trust. I remember the first radio programs in Ukrainian: about Soviet holidays – 1 May and October revolution [November, 7]. They were concerts and greeting of officials.
Boris continued his studies at the University in Kiev. He had studied at the Mechanic Mathematics faculty at Kiev University for two years before the war.
9 May 1945, Victory Day, was the happiest day. This was the holiday that didn’t need any administrative prearrangement. When we heard this announcement on the radio we ran to work. This was a warm day when chestnut trees had just begun to bloom. Here was a spontaneous parade. People went out to march hugging and kissing each other. This was the happiest day I could remember. It was more important than any other holiday and it united all people. This was the brightest day in my life.
Everything was in blossom. Alfred and I went for a walk. We came near the Opera Theater and there was a registry office nearby. Alfred said ‘Let’s drop in and register our marriage’. I said ‘I don’t have any documents with me’. He replied ‘I do’, He had my passport with him. We decided to get married when we were in Buzuluk, but since we all lived in a small room there we couldn’t even consider having another tenant. After we registered our marriage at the registry office we went to a ‘Mineral water’ small store across the street from the Opera Theater. There was a private bakery there. We scratched some money in our pockets to buy a bottle of Champaign and cakes. We went home and celebrated our wedding. Our parents were very happy for us.
After the wedding Alfred and I lived in my parents’ apartment in Kostyolnaya Street, we didn’t have a choice. Parents liked Alfred. In 1946 our son Georgi was born. After the war all employees were obliged to attend parades on Soviet holidays. This was horrible – they could even fire people if they missed a parade. I remember going to a parade with my one-year-old son in his winter coat just because I had to be there. My colleagues took turns to carry Georgi on their shoulders.
Period
Location
Ukraine
Interview
Frida Khatset