Do you know why you were given your name? Does it have a special meaning?
My name is Elena. On the day I was born, my mother was in the maternity hospital, and back then, there wasn’t the instant phone connection we have today. So, my grandmother, grandfather, and father sent a letter to my mother. In it, they congratulated her on the birth of her daughter and said they had all thought about it and decided they wanted to name me Anna. My mother was taken aback and thought, “Wait, I’m the mother here, this is my child, and they just decided on a name?” So, she chose to name me Elena, after my grandmother, as a way to honor her.
What was your birth order among your siblings?
I’m the younger sister with one older brother – the “little one” of the family
What stories have you been told about yourself as a baby?
One really amusing memory comes to mind from when we visited my grandparents for Easter. I was about four years old, and we went for a walk in my grandma’s garden. The garden was full of tall plants, and among them was one called stinging nettle. If you brush up against it, it stings, leaving tiny red bumps on your skin. Well, I accidentally touched it, and, of course, it stung me! I ran back to my grandma, crying about how it “bit” me. She calmly told me not to worry, that the sting would pass soon—and that it was actually good for me. So, with that in mind, and even though it still hurt, I went back and stung myself again… all in the name of being “healthy”!
What are your earliest memories of your childhood?
My earliest childhood memory goes back to when I was about five years old. It was a warm August, and my family and I took a summer trip to the Crimean coast. One of the places we visited was a breathtaking spot called Cape Tarkhankut, known for its dramatic cliffs and clear turquoise waters. There, the tour guides introduced us to something called the “Bowl of Love” – a natural rock formation shaped like a large, round pool carved into the cliffs. The story goes that if you jump into the water from the cliffs while holding hands with someone dear to you, your bond of friendship or love will last forever. My brother and I learned to swim there, and together, we jumped into the Bowl of Love, holding hands and laughing. And as the legend says, that bond we formed that day has stayed with us. More than 20 years have passed, and we’re still as close as ever.
Do you consider your childhood happy? Why or why not?
Yes, I consider my childhood happy. Looking back, it’s not just about having fun or carefree days—it was more about feeling loved and supported by my family. I had experiences that brought me joy, like family trips, playing with my siblings, and the excitement of little adventures we’d go on together. Of course, like everyone, there were ups and downs, but the warmth, security, and shared memories created a sense of happiness that I carry with me. Those experiences shaped who I am and taught me to find joy in simple moments and in close relationships. Now, as a mother, I constantly strive to make sure my son’s childhood is just as happy. I want him to feel safe and loved, and I do my best to shield him from any difficult moments so that he can enjoy a carefree, joyful childhood.
What were you like as a child?
I was a very inquisitive, curious, friendly, and entrepreneurial child, even from the age of five. I had a deep love for God, the Church, and all the people around me, and in return, they shared their love with me. I was determined and passionate about dance and singing. My father genuinely believed that sports build character, so I engaged in various athletic activities from a young age to develop discipline.
Describe the home(s) and neighborhood(s) in which you grew up?
I lived in an apartment in a five-story building, which fostered a sort of community where many different families resided. There were lots of neighbors my age, and we all went to the same school together. Additionally, there were many members of the older generation living nearby. Overall, our neighborhood was very friendly and close-knit. I think it also had a lot to do with the time period; my childhood in the 2000s was truly wonderful.
Describe your family’s economic conditions and the other factors that affected your lifestyle?
My family’s economic situation was fairly stable until 2008. We enjoyed a comfortable lifestyle where we could drive to the seaside every summer and afford some nice foods and clothes, albeit on a modest scale. My childhood was spent in a one-bedroom apartment, where my father worked night shifts, and my mother balanced her studies with a job as a shop assistant before becoming a psychologist. While my family wasn’t focused on business or wealth, we had a strong bond and an abundance of love. As time went on, financial constraints limited our ability to fulfill all my childhood wishes, such as buying clothes I desired or funding extracurricular activities and trips. I never traveled abroad as a child, but those experiences taught me the value of resilience and creativity. We found joy in simple moments together, and those memories shaped my understanding of what truly matters: family support, love, and the pursuit of knowledge.
Describe your family’s economic conditions and the other factors that affected your lifestyle?
Unfortunately, during my childhood, I lived with my parents while my older brother stayed with our grandparents because we had a small apartment. We didn’t start spending more time together until after the fourth grade when he moved in with us. We had a great relationship, constantly playing and bonding as friends. He had a clear understanding that I was his younger sister. We played all sorts of games at home, and I remember one time when we accidentally set a blanket on fire while having fun on the balcony. I also recall how we played soccer on our small balcony, which often prompted our grandmother from the lower floor to come up and scold us for being too loud.
Did you go to nursery school or kindergarten? What do you remember about it?
I attended kindergarten, and my group was called “Chamomile.” It was a fun place to be, and nearly all the kids I went to kindergarten with eventually joined me in first grade; they were my neighbors from the neighborhood. I have many fond memories from that time, including all the celebrations and performances we had. I cherish and love the childhood photographs from those days. In kindergarten, we sang songs and had music lessons that filled our days with joy. We spent a lot of time playing in the garden before our nap time, which I dreaded. I really disliked napping at the kindergarten and would often lie there with my eyes wide open, missing out on the fun while everyone else was resting. The camaraderie and laughter we shared during playtime created bonds that I still treasure to this day.
What memories do you have about getting to and from school?
My school was located right behind my house. I vividly remember my first day; my mother styled my hair in braids with ribbons, and we bought a bouquet of yellow roses for my teacher. My first teacher played a significant role in my development as I grew into a young girl. She instilled in me a love for learning, even though my mother initially believed that my brother would be the one dedicated to his studies while I would simply be the cheerful one. However, she later realized she was mistaken, as I put in a lot of effort at school, and my first day was truly wonderful. I was so excited to start first grade; I had dreamed and imagined what it would be like for a long time.
When you got home from school each day, who was there to greet you? What was the first thing you usually did after school?
When I came home from school, my mom was usually at work, but she would sometimes leave food for me. I didn’t heat it up because we didn’t have a microwave; instead, we had a pot that kept the food warm. I would prepare my own meals, eat by myself, and then do my homework. After that, I would head out to the playground with my friends. We often played hide and seek or had adventures at an abandoned construction site.
Tell about your favorite or least favorite teachers.
My favorite teacher was my physics teacher, Inna Aleksandrovna. She was my class advisor when I was studying at a medical high school. She was also an Aquarius, just like me, and very ambitious. She always expected great results from me, which motivated me to learn. She saw me as a creative person, and even though I struggled with the material in the exact sciences, I made a special effort to memorize all the rules and formulas for her lessons. Although I sometimes had difficulty solving problems correctly, I would often write essays instead of providing direct answers. I described all the facts I knew and all the formulas that should be used for each problem, but I didn’t always manage to do it. Nevertheless, I still received good grades because I performed well in school.
What was your favorite subject? Why?
My favorite subject in school was definitely foreign literature classes. Why? Because I love to read. I enjoy diving into interesting books and memorizing poems. I read all the classics we studied in school and made an effort to read them in their entirety. Even if they were novels or plays of 200 pages, I still tackled them. This love for classic literature has remained with me to this day.
Did you ever receive an award or recognition for special achievement?
I have received many medals and won competitions for dancing. I participated in competitive contemporary dance while I was in school.
Do you remember the occurrence of any significant historic event(s) during your elementary school days?
It’s Victory Day on May 9th. Every year, we placed great significance on this event. We sincerely honored the warriors who fought in the Great Patriotic War and World War II. Each year, we invited war veterans to our schools. We gave them gifts, sang songs, and recited poems for them, and it was wonderful.
Which friends do you best remember and why?
My best friend is Ira Chukli, who is the same age as I am. Our lives have been intertwined since childhood; we have journeyed through every significant stage together. We attended kindergarten, elementary school, and high school side by side, and we even found ourselves in the same medical college years later, studying psychology in parallel classes. Ira is a wonderful, enchanting, cultured, and exceptionally talented young woman. She has always been a role model for me, embodying grace and charm. Her gentle nature and charisma draw people to her, making her not only beautiful but also incredibly hardworking. Each memory we’ve created together is something I deeply cherish. Looking back, I can confidently say that having Ira in my life is one of the greatest blessings of my childhood. She is the best friend I could ever ask for, and our bond is something I will always hold dear.
What games and activities did you enjoy?
During my childhood, I loved playing outside with my friends. We often played games like tag and hide-and-seek. One of my favorite activities was riding my bike around the neighborhood; I really enjoyed the feeling of the wind in my hair and the freedom of exploring. We also spent a lot of time playing volleyball, which was always so much fun. On rainy days, we loved to get creative by painting large canvases and making big artwork together. These activities sparked my creativity and helped me build lasting friendships with my peers.
Tell about the first motion picture you ever saw.
The first motion picture I ever saw was “Aladdin.” I was completely captivated by the magical story of Aladdin, a young man who finds a magical lamp and becomes friends with a witty genie. I loved how Aladdin was brave and adventurous, and I admired Princess Jasmine, who is my favorite Disney princess. The vibrant colors, the enchanting music, and the exotic setting of Agrabah made it a truly memorable experience. Watching “Aladdin” for the first time ignited my love for animated films and storytelling. The film’s themes of friendship, love, and believing in oneself resonated with me deeply, and I found myself dreaming of magical adventures just like those of Aladdin and Jasmine.
What were your favorite radio and television shows?
My favorite TV show during my teenage years was “Brigada.” This dramatic series revolves around a group of four friends navigating the challenges of life in the tumultuous 1990s in Russia. The storyline captures their deep friendship, betrayals, and struggles for survival in a world filled with crime and the harsh realities of business. What I loved most about “Brigada” was its complex characters and gripping plot, which prompted me to reflect on the values of friendship and loyalty. Each character was unique and multi-dimensional, making them feel incredibly real and relatable. The show also featured excellent music and captured the essence of that era, which added an extra layer of charm. “Brigada” left an indelible mark on my heart and still evokes a sense of nostalgia for those times. It’s a series that not only entertained but also taught valuable life lessons, making it a significant part of my childhood.
Did you ever have a special place where you went to be alone?
Yes, I had a special place I loved to visit alone. I lived near the airport, and I enjoyed running there, sneaking through the fence to find myself on the pilot training grounds. This expansive area was filled with wide-open spaces and had an incredible atmosphere, completely devoid of people. There was even a field nearby where I could hide away, feeling like I was in my own secret world. It was just a stone’s throw from my home, and every time I went there, it felt like embarking on a thrilling adventure of my own.