L.Tolstoy’s Daughter in Armenian Gehenna
The past likes to surprise. While turning pages of the history, the most unexpected connections may be uncovered. One of such stories will be touched upon, which refers Russian well-known writer Leo Tolstoy’s younger daughter—Alexandria. Few people know, that throughout WWI, she left for the Caucasian battlefield as a volunteer sister of charity, living and working in Armenia for a lasting period.
In 1914 Alexandria Tolstaya, like many of her compatriots, rushed into the war developments, pursuing only one desire—serve to the fatherland, participate in universal support. And the 30 year-old high society lady, who besides her liberal views, also had considerable capacity and connections, intended to invest those means and knowledge in a program, purpose of which was providing medical assistance to the wounded and the population on the war zone.
Without hesitation she undertook necessary preparations and headed for the Caucasus together with a small group of supporters. In late 1914 she was already in Tbilisi. Those days Alexandria wrote to her sister Tatyana, “We, three doctors, chose Yerevan-Igdir direction, near the Persian border. In that direction there is no any assistance, epidemics is raging: typhoid, waterpox and malaria. There is no road in that direction. People scarcely get there by camels.”
Alexandria was moving from Tbilisi by a horse. By the way, her steed was named Alagyaz. They reached Yerevan, and after a short break they continued. In the letter to her brother Sergey, dated January 20, she informed, “I’m writing to you from Igdir, almost near Turkey—Persia border, located on Ararat slope.”
Here Tolstoy’s daughter, who read about the greatest sufferings, tragedies and horrors of war in the books, for the first time clashes with harsh reality. Particularly, condition of local and migrant Armenians had deep impact on her. In one of her notes taken in February, Tolstaya writes, “These people leave frightful and oppressive impression…I didn’t ever see such suffering. People have been deprived not only of their families, relatives, friends, they have also been deprived of their homes, properties and everything.”
After staying in Igdir for a certain period and working in the field hospital they get news, that defense fighting of Van have been launched, numerous wounded have been recorded, epidemics spreads among the population, and the only American doctor-missioner there isn’t able to assist all the patients. Decision is made to send Alexandria Lvovna there with a small brigade.
Before leaving for Van, daughter of the well-known writer departs to Yerevan, to purchase necessary medication and medical tools. She tells in her notebook what impression Yerevan left after Igdir, “It was rather joyous to appear in the civilized world again—automobiles, electricity, good restaurant. And seemingly, we stayed here a bit more, than we anticipated.”
However, the small heaven doesn’t last long. Armenian Gehenna has ahead. Van traumatizes her greatly. She had to provide medical assistance both to Armenians and Turks, as well as Kurds, hear and see both heroic and harsh, inhuman developments.
Unfortunately, they fail working in Van for a long period. Two of her partner students were infected with typhus. After some time Alexandria catches it as well. The three were moved to hospital for the treatment. After a bit recovery, the group heads for Russia.
Two photos have been miraculously preserved from those days. In the first photo Alexandria Tolstaya is with her two companions in Yerevan’s hospital. The second photo was taken in Western Armenia in 1915. In the group photo Tolstaya is with doctors and the staff of the field hospital.
Hovik Charkhchyan
