Elina Bystritskaya is a legend of Russian cinematographic and theatrical art. Popularity came to her along with the image of Aksinya from Sholokhov's immortal novel about the Cossacks. Throughout her life, Bystritskaya remained as proud, uncompromising and decisive as the heroine who glorified her.
From the biography of a Soviet actress
Elina Avraamovna is from Kiev. She was born on April 4, 1928. Elina's father was an infectious disease specialist, her mother worked as a cook in a hospital. The childhood years of the future artist were spent in Ukraine. When the war began, the whole family moved to Astrakhan. Here the girl underwent a training course in nursing courses, and then worked in a military hospital as a nurse.
When the fighting died down, Elina went to study at a paramedic school. But she soon realized that she could not be a doctor. During the war, Elina saw many deaths and took human suffering very close to her heart. As a result, the girl understood: medicine is not her destiny.
After reflection, Bystritskaya chose a creative profession for herself. In the late 40s, she came to amateur art activities. But the father insisted that his daughter enter the philological department of the pedagogical institute. Elina studied there for only a year, and then went to the Institute of Theater Arts. In 1953 she graduated from the course of L. Oleinik. After that she worked at the Vilnius Drama Theater, at the Pushkin Theater in the capital, then at the Maly Theater.
In cinema, Bystritskaya began to make a career in the early 50s. Fame and popular love brought her the role of the beautiful Aksinya in the epic film "Quiet Flows the Don" by S. Gerasimov. The film was released in 1958. When the picture was released on screens, Bystritskaya received a lot of letters with responses. Of particular value to her was a touching letter written by the elders of the Don Cossacks.
In the 70s, Elina Avraamovna began teaching. She worked in this field at GITIS and at the Shchepkin School.
Bystritskaya also found time for concerts. She skillfully recited prose and poetry, sang romances and songs of the wartime. In recent years, the actress has been actively working with the folk ensemble "Russia".
For a decade and a half, Bystritskaya was in the leadership of the Federation of Rhythmic Gymnastics of the country, participated in the work of several public organizations, entered the Council for Culture, which was organized under the head of the Russian state. The actress was also engaged in charity work.
Bystritskaya believed that it is possible to preserve the inner core throughout life when you do what you really want. And always go all the way if a decision is made. Everyone knew about the intransigence of the talented actress, her uncompromising attitude and adherence to principles.
Illness and death of the actress
On the slope of her eventful life, Elina Avraamovna suffered from a serious illness. She complained of chest pains. The vision of the actress also deteriorated, and cataracts began to develop. He developed problems with blood pressure and heart. Elina Avraamovna was offered hospitalization, but she refused examination and treatment in the hospital, preferring to stay at home with her sister. Soon, the actress's legs gave up.
The health of the actress became especially concerned about her fans when she celebrated her 91st anniversary.
Health problems, meanwhile, became more and more evident. In addition, she suffered pneumonia. The sister of the actress, Sophia Shegelman, even wanted to transport her to Israel for treatment, but Bystritskaya did not want to leave the country. She felt that at her age and in her health condition, the move would not be beneficial.
2019 year. In April, Elina Avraamovna entered one of the capital's clinics. However, doctors could no longer improve their badly shaken health. Bystritskaya's heart stopped beating on April 26, 2019. She was 92 years old. The public learned about the death of the actress from the message of the leadership of the Maly Theater, where Elina Avraamovna worked for many years.
For many fans of Bystritskaya's talent, her death was a shock. Many perceived her precisely as a proud and lively Aksinya from the film adaptation of Sholokhov's book. Even at a very old age, the actress retained her beauty, inner strength, confidence and charm. For several generations of Soviet people, Elina Avraamovna remained a legend. But little is known about the personal life of the popular actress. Bystritskaya very carefully guarded her female happiness, did not seek to flaunt her private life.
