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

How Russia Got That Way
September 20, 2025

How Russia Got That Way

A fast-paced crash course in Russian history, from Norsemen to Navalny, that explores the ways the Kremlin uses history to achieve its ends.

Little Golden Calf
February 01, 2010

Little Golden Calf

Our edition of The Little Golden Calf, one of the greatest Russian satires ever, is the first new translation of this classic novel in nearly fifty years. It is also the first unabridged, uncensored English translation ever, and is 100% true to the original 1931 serial publication in the Russian journal 30 Dnei. Anne O. Fisher’s translation is copiously annotated, and includes an introduction by Alexandra Ilf, the daughter of one of the book’s two co-authors.

Survival Russian
February 01, 2009

Survival Russian

Survival Russian is an intensely practical guide to conversational, colloquial and culture-rich Russian. It uses humor, current events and thematically-driven essays to deepen readers’ understanding of Russian language and culture. This enlarged Second Edition of Survival Russian includes over 90 essays and illuminates over 2000 invaluable Russian phrases and words.

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. 

A Taste of Chekhov
December 24, 2022

A Taste of Chekhov

This compact volume is an introduction to the works of Chekhov the master storyteller, via nine stories spanning the last twenty years of his life.

The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas
October 01, 2013

The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas

This exciting new trilogy by a Russian author – who has been compared to Orhan Pamuk and Umberto Eco – vividly recreates a lost world, yet its passions and characters are entirely relevant to the present day. Full of mystery, memorable characters, and non-stop adventure, The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas is a must read for lovers of historical fiction and international thrillers.

 
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.

At the Circus
January 01, 2013

At the Circus

This wonderful novella by Alexander Kuprin tells the story of the wrestler Arbuzov and his battle against a renowned American wrestler. Rich in detail and characterization, At the Circus brims with excitement and life. You can smell the sawdust in the big top, see the vivid and colorful characters, sense the tension build as Arbuzov readies to face off against the American.

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