Letter sent from: Bilashky, Pohrebyshche raion, Vinnytsia oblast
Letter describes events in 1932-1933 in: Bilashky, Pohrebyshche raion, Vinnytsia oblast
Current location name: Bilashky, Pohrebyshche raion, Vinnytsia oblast
Zatokovenko was 62 at the time of writing, meaning she was born around 1927. She focuses on the persistent
harassment of her family, 4 children and parents, over 1932-1934. It began with total requisitioning of grain
and ended up in complete dispossession for supposed “tax arrears.” The boss of the collective farm was
especially vicious. Her little brother and sister died, then her father was killed on the road after the boss
threatened him.
She experiences life-long trauma both physical, as children were affected by rickets, and psychological. Her
remaining brother was killed in WWII and she lived all her life from 1926 on with her mother and never
married. She describes how well things were after they were given land until 1932. Harassment continued in
1934, taxes were excessive, and her mother had to work to get food.
Ukrainian transcription available.
