Yeva Olenskaya

Yeva Olenskaya was born in 1900 in Quba, Baku Governorate, Russian Empire.[1] She was of Russian nationality but learned Azerbaijani language as a child. Her elder sister Alexandra Olenskaya was an actress in various Azerbaijani theater troupes and encouraged her sister to try herself on stage too.[2] Later the sister's husband, Heydar Vezirov, People's Commissar of Agriculture of the Azerbaijan SSR, was repressed as a people's enemy along with his wife and two sons.[3]

Olenskaya appeared on the stage for the first time in 1913 at the age of 13 at the premiere of the operetta “Arshin mal alan” in the role of Asya.[4] The same year, in 1913, Olenskaya joined the Azerbaijani dramatic troupe “Nikat”, and then the troupe “Safa”.[1]

In 1917 together with her sister Olenskaya played in the silent film “Arshin mal alan” directed by Boris Svetlov. In 1918-1920 Olenskaya performed in the drama troupe of Hajibekov brothers.[5]

Olenskaya studied at the Baku Theatrical Technical School (now the Azerbaijan State University of Culture and Arts) in 1923–1926.[6]

From late 1920 to early 1925, she worked at the Baku Turkish Free Criticism and Propaganda Theater.[2] Then, in 1926 Olenskaya returned to the National Drama Theater where she performed for thirty four years.[7] Olenskaya created dramatic, tragic and comic roles both in the national drama and in the translated performances.[2]

In 1927, Olenskaya was awarded a title of “Hero of Labor”.[7] In 1949, she was awarded the title of People's Artist of the Republic.[2]

Yeva Olenskaya died on 20 May 1959 in Baku.[1]

• Maria Antonovna (The Government Inspector by N. Gogol);
• Arkhipovna (Guilty Without Fault by A. Ostrovsky);
• Dunka (Lyubov Yarovaya by K. Trenyov);
• Oksana (The Death of the Squadron by O. Korneichuk);
• Manya (Strangers Child by V. Shkvarkin);
• Grandmother Vera (The Young Guard by A. Fadeyev);
• Erna Curcius (Manor in the alley by P.Tour);
• Leokadia Lvovna (Daughter of the Prosecutor by Y. Yanovsky);
• Dergacheva (Personal case by A. Stein).