September 11 Digital Archive

Our sorrow

Title

Our sorrow

Source

born-digital

Media Type

article

Original Name

Among family and friends Lyudochka was always the leader. Wherever we were, whatever we were doing,

Created by Author

yes

Described by Author

no

Date Entered

2002-11-28

VTMBH Article: Edition

44

VTMBH Article: Article Order

4

VTMBH Article: Title

Our sorrow

VTMBH Article: Author

VTMBH Article: Publication

Russian Forward

VTMBH Article: Original Language

Russian

VTMBH Article: Translator

Liz Vladeck

VTMBH Article: Section

edits

VTMBH Article: Blurb

Among family and friends Lyudochka was always the leader. Wherever we were, whatever we were doing, if Lyudochka arrived, everything became warmer and happier, and any sorrows or bad moods disappeared. Our hearts ache unbearably to think that this will never be the case again.

VTMBH Article: Keywords

VTMBH Article: Body

In 1956, when Lyudochka Zak was 18-years-old, she not only read the novel Two Captains by Veniamin Kaverin, but she also fell in love with its heroesSanya Grigoriyev and Katya Tatarinov. A girl from an intellectual family, and one who truly loved reading about beautiful and brave people, Lyudochka always remembered to struggle and search, to discover, and never give up. She not only remembered, but often acted according to these rules of Kaverins heroes.

Lyudochka was a native Muscovite. She loved her city and did everything possible to be happy there. She was admitted to one of the most selective academic establishments, Moscow's Bauman High Technical School (BHTS), which rarely admitted Jewish applicants. Here again she was served by the mottos of Kaverins heroes. Her studies at BHTS were very difficult, but our Lyudochka was a strong person. She became a good engineer, a loving wife to Boris Maxovich Prokhorov, and a kind, devoted mother to her daughter Natasha.

Among those close to herfamily, friends and co-workersshe was always a leader. Wherever we were, whatever we were doing, if Lyudochka arrived, everything became warmer and happier, and any sorrows or bad moods disappeared. Our hearts ache unbearably to think that this will never be the case again.

People in Moscow had been talking about the musical Nord-Ost for several years, since the time when the authors were only just beginning to work on it. The libretto is based on Kaverins Two Captains, and Lyudochka and Boris Prokhorov were looking forward to meeting the heroes of their youth. A world-class musical was the reaction from critics and audiences after its premiere. From its opening, audiences included people of all ages, so among the Chechen rebels hostages were young children, as well as those already retired and on their pensions, who were very dear to usLyudochka and Boris.

Boris is still alive and called us from the hospital. The call was an alert: he couldnt find Lyudochka. For more than three days, Natasha searched for her mama with Lyudochkas brother Georgii. After the gas attacks, her face was so changed that it was impossible to recognize her. They called their relatives in America many times. When they found her, she had a watch in her hand; a gift from one of us on a previous visit to Moscow.

Boris is still in the hospital. And Lyudochkawith enormous difficulties Lyudochka was given a funeralfor free. Yet this free funeral cost those of us close to her a great deal.

For us, her relatives, it remains only to remember this person who was so dear to us, and to implore God to save those who are innocent of evil acts on this earth.

<i>Written by Leonid and Lyudmila Sandler, Sofia Kabak and Isaac Gurvitz.</i>

VTMBH Article: Line Breaks

1

VTMBH Article: Date

2002-11-28

VTMBH Article: Thumb

VTMBH Article: Article File

VTMBH Article: Hit Count

63

Citation

“Our sorrow,” September 11 Digital Archive, accessed November 14, 2024, https://911digitalarchive.org/items/show/1605.