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I was calm about Stalin's death, I didn't feel particular grief or any alarm like many others. I had been critical of Stalin for a long time: I was a mature person during the period of struggle against cosmopolitans and the Doctors' Plot [21]. Naturally, we understood that it was a lie. My father knew some of those who were accused. They were renowned professors, but it was not to be discussed. We didn't discuss this subject at home. The Doctors' Plot' didn't affect our family at all.
Ilia returned to Odessa from Nogaysk in 1954. Since he was a former soldier he had to teach military disciplines at school for some time. There was no vacancy for a history teacher. A year later he went to work at the Odessa archaeological museum. Ilia took part in archaeological expeditions, excavating the ancient Olvia and Tira [ancient Greek settlements in the Northern Black Sea region], and was head of the antiquities department at the Odessa archaeological museum. In 1954 I entered the extramural department of classical music of the Leningrad Conservatory. There was a big competition and my competitor failed to answer about Trotsky [22]. I was good at the history of the Party and gave an excellent answer.
By the end of the 1950s our material situation improved significantly. My father was a professor and doctor of sciences and received a good salary, but we always bought only the essentials. We had guests, but not often and my parents didn't go out often. We had a big dacha on the 10th station of the Fontan [a resort area of Odessa], and in the summer we didn't leave Odessa.
Ilia returned to Odessa from Nogaysk in 1954. Since he was a former soldier he had to teach military disciplines at school for some time. There was no vacancy for a history teacher. A year later he went to work at the Odessa archaeological museum. Ilia took part in archaeological expeditions, excavating the ancient Olvia and Tira [ancient Greek settlements in the Northern Black Sea region], and was head of the antiquities department at the Odessa archaeological museum. In 1954 I entered the extramural department of classical music of the Leningrad Conservatory. There was a big competition and my competitor failed to answer about Trotsky [22]. I was good at the history of the Party and gave an excellent answer.
By the end of the 1950s our material situation improved significantly. My father was a professor and doctor of sciences and received a good salary, but we always bought only the essentials. We had guests, but not often and my parents didn't go out often. We had a big dacha on the 10th station of the Fontan [a resort area of Odessa], and in the summer we didn't leave Odessa.
Location
Ukraine
Interview
rimma rozenberg