Eight prominent Russian actors and actresses took a three-week rehabilitation course in Minsk Charity House. The charitable act was organized by the Belarusian exarchate, Moscow Patriarchy, Russian Club of Orthodox Patrons and the international cinema forum “Golden Knight” (Zolotoy Vityaz). The idea to invite the veterans of cinema belongs to the superior of the All-Saint Parish Archpriest Fyodor Povny and President of the international cinema festival “Golden Knight” Nikolai Burlyayev. The great Russian actors and actresses Tatyana Samoilova, Vladlen Davydov, Nikolai Pastukhov, Gennady Korolkov, Aleksei Vanin, Raisa Kurkina, Irina Pechernikova and Margarita Anastasyeva, whose names are part of the history of the Russian and Soviet cinema, not only took a course of health-improving treatment, but also met with their fans. They will remember these three weeks with warmth and elation.
The star of the movie “Wait Until Monday” (Dozhivyom do ponedelnika), Irina Pecherskaya says “I have been to Minsk before, when we were shooting the famous movie “Blue Carbuncle”. This was the first role off my usual line of roles. But this visit to Belarus is quite different. I faced a lot of troubles, I remained out of work for quite a time, and suddenly I was offered a role in one of Moscow theaters. I was at sea, I did not know what to do, and only after I stayed here, in the Charity House, only after I saw these eyes, I realized I was ready for stage.”
The people’s artist of Russia Tatyana Samoilova (“The Cranes are Flying” (Letyat Zhuravli), “Anna Karenina”) shared her grief: her father, the people’s artist of the USSR, Yevgeny Samoilov, passed away. Tatyana Samoilova was glad to get away from her sorrow and come to Belarus. “Age begins to tell, and it is hard to communicate and travel. But I am always happy to come to Belarus. I was in Minsk two years ago, and now I feel I am stronger.
Honored artist of Russia Aleksei Vanin reminisced about the war, the post-war period and the beginning of his career. Aleksei Vanin starred in “Kalina Krasnaya”, “Afonya”, “Dzhentelmeny Udachi”, “Oni Srazhalis za Rodinu,” “Vechnyi zov”. “I am glad I can speak to younger people,” Vanin says. “You know, war is the most horrible thing that can happen. Take care of each other and live in peace. And thank you for remembering us.”
by Anna Shevtsova
