Надія-Анастасія Ліскевич

“When my father came to Zamochok, there were no reading-room there. Do you understand? He decided to build a reading-room. Father asked dwellers: “Lets everybody give some money and we’ll build a little reading-room!” But there were no response about building this reading-room. My father made an agreement with one Ukrainian, true Ukrainian – surname Gadada, they were called Pasynky in village. They were three sons… Father talked with these Pasynky and they went to forest. Father told my mother (he didn’t tell the truth): “I am going” (it was then called “forshpan” – to export something). He made the long cart and went to the forest which was mother’s one. He cut down the best oaks… Mother went there to give meal for choppers (we had little hayfield there). She told father: “I’ll look at our oaks”. And then she returned: “Vasyl’, somebody cut all good oaks!” and started crying. But father said: “Why are you crying? Don’t cry! Oaks will grow up. For our children there will be oaks!”

“We had a chief Gershak – he was Jew. Everybody was afraid of him. He was a communist… At last independence of Ukraine was proclaimed. Guys were going to kitchen to receive food through long corridor. I was going behind them. And he was going with under-arm case to work. I shouted: “Yuriy Vadymovych! Glory to Ukraine!” At 4 p.m. aide came and said that chief was calling me. I came, knocked the door and heard: “Come in! Sit down. I want to inquire something”. I said: “Ask, please. I will answer truthfully”. – “I know that if you answer that’s for sure truthfully.” – “Yes, of course.” – “What nationality are you?” – “I am Ukrainian. My parents are Ukrainians. I am proud of my Nation.” He looked at me and said: “You words are of gold.” I said: “We are Ukrainians from blood and bones, from grandfather – great grandfather. So I can’t say that I am Russian or Jew (his father was Russian and mother – Jew)”. And he said: “I like such people, who respect their roots”. When he said this, my hair stood on end from happiness.”

I was thrown into cellar. Girls torn shirts and made tampons in order to put into nose. My nose was completely broken and held on skin. When they bit me, the first secretary came. I lay on the ground in blood. Blood ran from my nose. I knew everything: where rebels hided, who they were, where type-writers were. I thought: “Bit me, carve me, I will not say anything”. First secretary Kirsta was very decent person. He said: “When she recover, release her and then let she come to you every day from village for check. If she is not linked with rebels, nothing will happen. But when she is linked, they will kill her themselves because they will suspect her in betrayal. But if she is not guilty, leave her. How can you do this?”

“We had school director Zaklika. She taught us only polish history. I stood up once and said “We want to study Ukrainian history. Teach us at least Kings times. We are Ukrainians! We will not answer you anything more.” He closed a class, called to Volya to police post. Police came and took me. They hold me the whole day, the whole night and in the morning let me go. They wanted me to go home by myself from Volya-Vysotstka. I said: “I don’t know the way. You brought me here, you should take me home.” They brought me to school and said: “Go home.” And I said: “My legs pain and I want to eat”. I was such a child. Mother told father to go to Volya and to bring me home. Father answered: “Don’t worry, she has tongue. She knows how to speak. Don’t worry. She will not drown. And if she drowns, we will drown with her.” They brought me to school and I cried that parents would bit me. So they brought me to the house.”