Thank you so much, Irene. The colors were so beautiful and delicate that I thought there were more than enough for one photo. Adding something else will only worsen the tis scenery.
We had to master the art of using Aesop’s language, and still, every word had to go through censorship. I will never forget how I was assigned to do a major piece on our heroic catacomb fighters, dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the victory (in 1975 I was already ‘v otkaze’ but still free-lanced). I found and interviewed about a dozen of people who were still alive, but my story returned from the censors severely cut. It was explained to me later that “we still don’t know who was a hero and who was a traitor.” Writing about Jews was always risky as well, because I couldn’t know who had relatives abroad. I had a wonderful, very supportive editor, though.
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It was a very strange and difficult time. But I think that you were lucky enough to live in Odessa, because in my memory about visiting this city it was some kind of city of freedom of spirit and independence.
First, I apologize for delay in responding, Vova. Technology decided to go on a major strike.
Yes, Odessa has always enjoyed more freedom than other cosmopolitan cities, yet the first – and famous! – KVN team was called to the Department of Culture of Party OBKOM and told, “You are all Jews, and even your captain is Jewish (that was Valera Khait, the first captain). You must have a non-Jewish captain, or else we shut you down.” So Yura Makarov, a Jew whose passport read ‘Ukrainian,’ became a new captain. His nose clearly demonstrated who he was, but Russian / Ukrainian conflict had been brewing even in the 70’s, so they let it go, and we continued laughing.
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Yes, it was a very interesting time. I can’t say it was an easy time, just interesting. Because in order to achieve something, it was necessary to do something that is even impossible to imagine. But we did it very often. And these achievements brought some kind of happiness. About KVN. It seems that everyone has forgotten that this game was also invented by a Jew – Albert Akselrod.
We (“the old guard”) remember!
And there is a Chinese curse: ‘May you live in interesting times.”
But yes, it was arguably the most exciting period of my life.
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Maybe because it was our youth.
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Unfortunately, the ranks of the “old guard” are not that large. And I think that very soon, unfortunately, KVN will be associated only with Maslyakov and with no one else. And no one will remember the joy of watching the team of Odessa gentlemen.
Ah! The kind and wise late Vitya Il’chenko, on his one and only visit here, having tea in the early hours of the morning in our kitchen, said, “You are not nostalgic for Odessa; you miss Odessa of your youth.” He was right.
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He said very simply, but I think this is true for everyone. We really miss youth and its not always smart, but always heartily actions.
Many thanks. I really love the painting of the Impressionists, especially their landscape. I wanted to imitate their paintings, so I used soft focus for this.
Vova Zinger's Photoblog 
Remarkable!
Thank you.
Wow! Simply gorgeous. 😊
Thank you so much, Irene. The colors were so beautiful and delicate that I thought there were more than enough for one photo. Adding something else will only worsen the tis scenery.
Very nice. 😊
Splendid, against blue water and pale blue sky.
Thanks a lot, Dolly. I deliberately discolored the sky a little because I didn’t want a bright spot in this photo.
Tricks of the trade, with fantastic results, Vova. You are very welcome.
I don’t think I do documentary photography. I want to show what I see. If I am wrong, I am guilty, but I still believe that this is my right.
You are absolutely right, and it is the right of every artists, as proven by the growing number of your admirers, Vova.
Thanks a lot, Dolly. I’m glad you agree with me.
It would be ridiculous for me to disagree, Vova. In my ‘previous life,’ I covered Arts and Culture for Вечерняя Одесса.
I can’t imagine how difficult it was not to show or say what you want. I was not in your situation, but I am very familiar with the time there.
We had to master the art of using Aesop’s language, and still, every word had to go through censorship. I will never forget how I was assigned to do a major piece on our heroic catacomb fighters, dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the victory (in 1975 I was already ‘v otkaze’ but still free-lanced). I found and interviewed about a dozen of people who were still alive, but my story returned from the censors severely cut. It was explained to me later that “we still don’t know who was a hero and who was a traitor.” Writing about Jews was always risky as well, because I couldn’t know who had relatives abroad. I had a wonderful, very supportive editor, though.
It was a very strange and difficult time. But I think that you were lucky enough to live in Odessa, because in my memory about visiting this city it was some kind of city of freedom of spirit and independence.
First, I apologize for delay in responding, Vova. Technology decided to go on a major strike.
Yes, Odessa has always enjoyed more freedom than other cosmopolitan cities, yet the first – and famous! – KVN team was called to the Department of Culture of Party OBKOM and told, “You are all Jews, and even your captain is Jewish (that was Valera Khait, the first captain). You must have a non-Jewish captain, or else we shut you down.” So Yura Makarov, a Jew whose passport read ‘Ukrainian,’ became a new captain. His nose clearly demonstrated who he was, but Russian / Ukrainian conflict had been brewing even in the 70’s, so they let it go, and we continued laughing.
Yes, it was a very interesting time. I can’t say it was an easy time, just interesting. Because in order to achieve something, it was necessary to do something that is even impossible to imagine. But we did it very often. And these achievements brought some kind of happiness. About KVN. It seems that everyone has forgotten that this game was also invented by a Jew – Albert Akselrod.
We (“the old guard”) remember!
And there is a Chinese curse: ‘May you live in interesting times.”
But yes, it was arguably the most exciting period of my life.
Maybe because it was our youth.
Unfortunately, the ranks of the “old guard” are not that large. And I think that very soon, unfortunately, KVN will be associated only with Maslyakov and with no one else. And no one will remember the joy of watching the team of Odessa gentlemen.
Ah! The kind and wise late Vitya Il’chenko, on his one and only visit here, having tea in the early hours of the morning in our kitchen, said, “You are not nostalgic for Odessa; you miss Odessa of your youth.” He was right.
He said very simply, but I think this is true for everyone. We really miss youth and its not always smart, but always heartily actions.
He had always been wise, even in our young years, and it is true for everyone – you are so right.
Wow, how beautiful!
Thank you very much.
Reminds me of an Impressionist painting. =)
Many thanks. I really love the painting of the Impressionists, especially their landscape. I wanted to imitate their paintings, so I used soft focus for this.
The last one 🌸
May I ask where this picture is from?
This is the Charles River Reservation in Boston.
Thank you 😊
Simply sublime! Love the picture palette of colours!
Many thanks. I was also struck by these soft gentle colors.
Gorgeous!
Thank you.
Marvelous!
Enchanting! Pleasing the Mind!
Many thanks.
What an amalgamation of soft colors. Such a beauty.
Тhanks. I tried not to spoil the beauty created by nature.
Wonderful view 🌹👌😍
Thank you so much.
Most welcome 🙏
A delicate beauty, Lovely!
Cherry flowers are very delicate, and I tried to show it. Thank you.
Beautiful capture. Reminds me of Japanese prints.
Thank you very much. Your comment inspires me to keep learning photography.
How delightful
Thank you so much.
Wow! Looks like a painting 😍
Many thanks. I think using soft focus allowed me to achieve this.
This is really beautiful.
Thank you very much.
Wow! Dreamlike…
Thanks Susan. I think this is the closest I could find to the Washington Sakura bloom in Boston.
Reblogged this on ausevor.
Colourful delight!
Many thanks.
Absolutely stunning.
Thank you so much.
mesmerizing❤
Thank you very much.
Breathtaking!
Thanks a lot.
Nice visit mine blogs
OMG! It looks like painting. So beautiful colors! I love the photo!
Many thanks. I tried to do this.
Striking!
Thank you.
She blushed , when the spring kissed her
It’s very poetic. Thank you very much.