This is the picture on my pensioner's ID. The picture was taken in Tallinn in 2000.
I worked as a pianist at the ballet school from 1946 to 2000. I wanted to leave work when I turned 75, but the principal did not let me go saying, ‘What are you going to do at home ?’ He talked me into staying. Only when I turned 80 I told the principal, ‘Now I go. And that’s flat.’
Music is the main thing in my life. It makes me strong and keeps me going. I would have died without it. Even now there are very few joys in my life. My colleagues do not forget about me. Recently the principal of the choreography school invited me. He turned 65. The principal sent the car over. He knew it was hard for me to walk. I was taken there and I was given a warm welcome as right now I am the eldest employee of the school. There was a feast, without alcohol of course. The principal teaches at school as well. He is an excellent teacher. There were his former students at the jubilee. It was so great.
When I walked out, I even was not willing to go home. I sat on the bench by the school. The sun was shining. I took a nap. Then I went downtown to the concert of Georgian composer Giya Kancheli. The symphonic orchestra played. The first part of the concert was devoted to Gidon Kremer. There was an intermission and then the piece that the author devoted to violist Yuri Bashmet. The music was gorgeous. I liked that there were many folklore motives in the music. It was so interesting! The audience was crying in delight and stamped with their feet. I felt so happy!
