Irina Ratushinskaya

Irina Ratushinskaya, is a Russian poet and writer, born March 4, 1954. Irina was educated at Odessa University, the city of her birth, and was graduated with a Master's Degree in physics in 1976. Before her graduation she taught at a primary school in Odessa from 1975-78.

Related Topics:
March 4 - 1954 - Odessa University - Odessa

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Irina's greatest ordeal of life began in 1982. She was charged with anti-Soviet agitation and was convicted and sentenced to seven years in a labor camp. However, she spent only four years as a political prisoner. Her release came on the eve of the summit in Reykjavik, Iceland between President Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev in October 1986. It was seen as a possible concession by the Soviet government to the West.

Related Topics:
Labor camp - Political prisoner - Reykjavik - Ronald Reagan - Mikhail Gorbachev - October - 1986

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While imprisoned the Irina continued to write poetry. Her previous works usually centered on love, Christian theology, and artistic creation, not on politics or policies as her accusers stated. Her new works that were written in prison, which were written on soap until memorized and then washed away, number some 250. They expressed an appreciation for human rights; liberty, freedom, and the beauty of life. Her memoir, Grey is the color of Hope, chronicles her prison experience. Her later poems recount her struggles to endure thehardships and horrors of prison life. Irina is a member of International PEN, who monitored her situation during her incarceration.

Related Topics:
Poetry - International PEN

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In 1987 Irina came to the United States, where she received the Religious Freedom Award from the Institute on Religion and Democracy. She also was the Poet in Residence at Northwestern University from 1987-89. She now lives in Moscow with her husband and two sons.

Related Topics:
United States - Religious Freedom Award - Institute on Religion and Democracy - Northwestern University - Moscow

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