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I had a Jewish friend, Slava Efraimovich, in school. Then I had no idea of nationalities – Russian or Jewish. I acquired the understanding after graduation. I was among the five best mathematicians in class. At the graduation ball, the mathematics teacher and then the physics teacher said I could contact them if I did not enter an institute. They could help arrange my further study. But I didn’t see why I wouldn’t enter. Everybody was always saying that I alone of the whole class certainly would be admitted to a higher institution. They didn’t say anything about my naiveté.
Naturally, I was not admitted. I got an excellent mark at the first exam – written mathematics. But in oral mathematics I received “satisfactory,” having heard the following words behind my back: “Pluck this one. We’ve got enough of them already.” And then I understood what I was.
Naturally, I was not admitted. I got an excellent mark at the first exam – written mathematics. But in oral mathematics I received “satisfactory,” having heard the following words behind my back: “Pluck this one. We’ve got enough of them already.” And then I understood what I was.
Period
Location
St. Petersburg
Russia
Interview
Irina Khokhlova