Trafika Europe 13 - Russian Ballet

Naum Vaiman

of history, because it is the genuine tragedy of death and rebirth, and the Jews are continuing to produce it in each new generation. And this spectacle inspires, it gives hope….” “That’s already some sort of an aestheticization of history; you approach it in the same way that a viewer approaches a theater production – you seek inspiration from it. But we have to live in our history. It’s unlikely you would want to return now to the war years, even though after another hundred years, all these horrors will become a ‘grand spectacle’. If people were able to choose a country and a history, then each would undoubtedly choose Switzerland.” “You are wrong. Inspiration is not for the purpose of indolence, nor for entertainment; it is a living necessity. Life must inspire us, or – it’s curtains. And this inspiration can only be provided by history.” “And love?” “Love… love is more akin to intoxication… No-no, love is but the illusion of inspiration, a mirage. It is strong but fleeting. I would say it is seasonal. Love may only be an inspiration for the life of a woman.” By the time Lena returned, I was already married. But it all started anew. At first, we shuttled between the apartments of our friends, but then we “moved in” at Pyotr Naumovich’s. Initially, I felt embarrassed by this:

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