Hard life of Lev Gumilyov, Akhmatova's son

• The hard way of life of Lev Gumilyov, Akhmatova's son,

25 years ago, June 15, 1992, died scientist-orientalist, historian and ethnographer, poet and translator - Lev Gumilyov. His whole career was a refutation of that "son of the father is not responding". The legacy of the parents he inherited years of repression: his father, Nikolai Gumilyov was shot in 1921, and his mother - Anna Akhmatova - became disgraced poet. Despair after 13 years in the camps and permanent obstacles in the classroom science deepening mutual misunderstanding in the relationship with his mother.

Poetess Anna Akhmatova

Gumilev, Anna Akhmatova and their son Leo, 1915

October 1, 1912, Anna Akhmatova and Nikolai Gumilev was born the son of Leo. In the same year she released her first Akhmatova's poetry collection "Evening", then - a collection of "Rosary", which brought her recognition and brought to the literary avant-garde. In-law offered to take the poet foster son - both parents were too young and busy with their chores. Akhmatova agreed, and it was her fatal mistake. Up to 16 years old Leo grew up with his grandmother, whom he called "the angel of goodness" and his mother saw rare.

Anna Akhmatova and her son

His parents soon separated, and in 1921, Leo learned that Nikolai Gumilyov was shot on charges of counter-revolutionary conspiracy. In the same year he visited his mother, and then was gone for 4 years. "I realized that nobody wants", - Lev wrote in desperation. He could not forgive his mother that he was alone. In addition, the aunt has formed his idea of ​​the perfect father and a "bad mother" who has abandoned orphan.

Lev Gumilyov in 14 years

Many acquaintances Akhmatova insisted that in everyday life the poet was helpless and could not take care even of herself. It was not published, she lived in cramped conditions and felt that with my grandmother's son will be better. But when the question of admission to the University of Leo, she took it to Leningrad. At that time, she married Nikolai Punin, but the mistress in his apartment was not - they lived in a communal apartment, together with his ex-wife and daughter. And Leo was there and did hand to mouth, he slept on a trunk in an unheated corridor. In this family, Leo felt like a stranger.

Lev Gumilyov, 1930.

The University of Gumilev not received due to social background, and he had to learn a lot of professions: he worked as a laborer in tram management, work in geological expeditions, librarian, archaeologist, museum workers, etc. In 1934, he finally managed to become a student.. LSU Faculty of History, but a year later he was arrested. Soon after he was released "for lack of evidence", in 1937, he recovered at the university, and in 1938 he was arrested again on charges of terrorism and anti-Soviet activities. This time he was given 5 years in Norillag.

Photo Lev Gumilyov from the investigation file 1949

At the end of the period in 1944 Lev Gumilyov went to the front, and the rest was ordinary war. In 1945 he returned to Leningrad, again recovered at LSU, he entered the graduate school and already after 3 years PhD in history. In 1949, he was arrested again, and without charge, was sentenced to 10 years in the camps. Only in 1956 he was finally released and rehabilitated.

Lev Gumilyov and Anna Akhmatova, 1960.

Lev Gumilyov, 1980s.

At that time, the poet lived in Moscow Ardovs. Before Leo had heard rumors that the money raised for the translations, she spent on gifts Ardova wife and her son. Leo seemed that the mother saves on the premises, rarely writes and refers to it too lightly.

The historian, geographer, orientalist, ethnologist and translator Lev Gumilyov

Lev Gumilyov was so upset with his mother, even wrote in one of his letters, that if he were the son of a simple peasant women, has already become to a professor, and his mother "does not understand, does not feel, and just languishing." He reproached her that she is not fussed about his release, while Akhmatova feared that petition on its behalf may only worsen his situation. Besides Punins Ardov and convinces her that her troubles could harm her and to her son. Gumilyov not take into account the circumstances in which his mother had to stay, and that she could not write to him frankly about everything, as her letters were censored.

Akhmatova's son Lev Gumilyov

After his return misunderstanding between them has only intensified. The poet thought that the son became extremely irritable, sharp and quick to take offense, but he is still accused the mother of indifference to him and his interests, in contempt for his scientific works.

In the last 5 years they have not seen each other, and when the poet was ill, take care of it by strangers. Lev Gumilyov doctorate in history, followed by another on geography, although the title of professor and has not received. In February 1966, Akhmatova fell ill with a heart attack, son came from Leningrad to visit her, but Punins did not let him in the ward - allegedly protecting a weak heart poetess. March 5 she died. Lev Gumilyov experienced mother for 26 years. At 55 years old he married and spent rest of his days in peace and quiet.

Lev Gumilyov and his wife, Natalia, 1970.

Lev Gumilyov from your desk. Leningrad, the 1990s.

They have not found a way to each other, we do not understand and have not forgiven. Both were victims of a terrible time and the monstrous hostage situation in which Lev Gumilyov was forced to pay for all his life that he - the son of his parents.