Yeva (Yevgenia) Nikitichna Olenskaya (1900, Quba, Baku Province, Russian Empire – 20 May 1959, Baku, Azerbaijan SSR, Soviet Union) was an Azerbaijani Soviet actress, Hero of Labor (1927), People's Artist of the Azerbaijan SSR (1949).[1] She is best known for her role in the silent film “Arshin mal alan” (The Cloth Peddler) (1917).
Yeva Olenskaya | |
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Born | Yevgenia Nikitichna Olenskaya 1900 (1900) Quba, Baku Province, Russian Empire |
Died | 1959 (aged 58–59) Baku, Azerbaijan SSR, Soviet Union |
Occupation | actress |
Notable work | The Cloth Peddler (1917 film) |
Yeva Olenskaya was born in Quba, Baku Province in 1900.[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]