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Our flat was situated in a big building that had several floors. We lived on the third floor, and Uncle Leva (Dad’s brother) lived on the ground floor. Our family was poor. There was only one room in the flat, a big one – may be, of 40 square meters. There were beds and a big table. We all, seven people, lived in one room. We never had any nannies. Mom always cooked and cleaned up. She was a very orderly person.
We had a big ancient candelabra. Mum would light candles in it say, “Be quiet, don’t get close to it and don’t touch it.” I also remember that we had a big white tiled fireplace at home, with a small mantelpiece. And also there was a big iron chest.
When we were little, we often had guests. We had a large table – we would sit at the table and sing (we sang Ukrainian songs, Mom liked them). Uncle Grisha and Dad would sing some Jewish songs in Yiddish. One person who visited us was a Jew with a humpback, who worked for Dad. There were also many Estonians, since dad was from Estonia. Usually, when guests came, we had to leave the table and sit separately.
We had a big ancient candelabra. Mum would light candles in it say, “Be quiet, don’t get close to it and don’t touch it.” I also remember that we had a big white tiled fireplace at home, with a small mantelpiece. And also there was a big iron chest.
When we were little, we often had guests. We had a large table – we would sit at the table and sing (we sang Ukrainian songs, Mom liked them). Uncle Grisha and Dad would sing some Jewish songs in Yiddish. One person who visited us was a Jew with a humpback, who worked for Dad. There were also many Estonians, since dad was from Estonia. Usually, when guests came, we had to leave the table and sit separately.
Period
Location
Russia
Interview
Irina Voinova