May 09, 2018

Painting Veterans


Painting Veterans
"Tea-Drinking," by Sasha Sokolova

Artist Sasha Sokolova has undertaken a personal, artistic and cultural project to document the daily life of Russia’s remaining war veterans, including that of her grandfather, who is also her mentor and teacher, through her paintings.

The May/June 2018 issue of Russian Life features 9 examples of her beautiful portraits, with extended captions offering biographical information on the veterans who are shown in the portraits. Here, for example, is one on Ninel V. Karpova.

Ninel Karpova by Sasha Sokolova

NINEL V. KARPOVA

Born on February 26, 1925, in Kharkov. She graduated with a nursing degree in 1942 and was sent to the Volkhov Front. She took part in battles near Leningrad, fought on the Kursk-Belgorod Arc, fought to liberate Ukraine, Poland, Germany, Czechoslovakia, crossed the Dnieper, the Oder and other rivers, and stormed Berlin. During the war, Karpova herself evacuated from the battlefield more than ten wounded soldiers and provided them with life-saving medical assistance. On Victory Day she was in Prague. 

After the war she worked as physical education teacher in kindergartens. She has long been actively engaged in patriotic education of Moscow youth.

She was awarded the Order of the Patriotic War, Second Degree; Order of the Red Star; medals “For Combat Merits,” “For the Taking of Berlin,” “For the Liberation of Prague,” “For the Victory over Germany,” the designation “Excellent Medical Officer,” and many other honors.


If you are in Moscow, Sokolova’s exhibition is be shown at the Pop Up Museum in Moscow during May 8-27.

 

Like this post? Get a weekly email digest + member-only deals

Some of our Books

Davai! The Russians and Their Vodka
November 01, 2012

Davai! The Russians and Their Vodka

In this comprehensive, quixotic and addictive book, Edwin Trommelen explores all facets of the Russian obsession with vodka. Peering chiefly through the lenses of history and literature, Trommelen offers up an appropriately complex, rich and bittersweet portrait, based on great respect for Russian culture.

Bears in the Caviar
May 01, 2015

Bears in the Caviar

Bears in the Caviar is a hilarious and insightful memoir by a diplomat who was “present at the creation” of US-Soviet relations. Charles Thayer headed off to Russia in 1933, calculating that if he could just learn Russian and be on the spot when the US and USSR established relations, he could make himself indispensable and start a career in the foreign service. Remarkably, he pulled it of.

Murder at the Dacha
July 01, 2013

Murder at the Dacha

Senior Lieutenant Pavel Matyushkin has a problem. Several, actually. Not the least of them is the fact that a powerful Soviet boss has been murdered, and Matyushkin's surly commander has given him an unreasonably short time frame to close the case.

Murder and the Muse
December 12, 2016

Murder and the Muse

KGB Chief Andropov has tapped Matyushkin to solve a brazen jewel heist from Picasso’s wife at the posh Metropole Hotel. But when the case bleeds over into murder, machinations, and international intrigue, not everyone is eager to see where the clues might lead.

Driving Down Russia's Spine
June 01, 2016

Driving Down Russia's Spine

The story of the epic Spine of Russia trip, intertwining fascinating subject profiles with digressions into historical and cultural themes relevant to understanding modern Russia. 

The Samovar Murders
November 01, 2019

The Samovar Murders

The murder of a poet is always more than a murder. When a famous writer is brutally stabbed on the campus of Moscow’s Lumumba University, the son of a recently deposed African president confesses, and the case assumes political implications that no one wants any part of.

About Us

Russian Life is a publication of a 30-year-young, award-winning publishing house that creates a bimonthly magazine, books, maps, and other products for Russophiles the world over.

Latest Posts

Our Contacts

Russian Life
73 Main Street, Suite 402
Montpelier VT 05602

802-223-4955