Vira Kholodna
Vira Kholodna was born August 9, in 1893 in Poltava. The father of the future actress Vasily A. Levchenko was a very educated man, graduated from the Moscow University, worked as a teacher in Poltava gymnasium. Her mother, Yekaterina, studied at the Alexander and Mary Institute for young ladies in Moscow, where she lived until her marriage. A young couple, not wanting to be depended from anybody, moved to Poltava, where Vira was born. They have
lived modestly. Two years later Yekaterina’s father died, and she asked the Levchenko family to move in Moscow.
When Vira was 10 years old she took a great interest in ballet and persuaded her parents to send her to ballet school. It is said that she predicted the future of the great ballerina, but strict grandmother banned granddaughter seized "frivolous and immoral business". Interestingly, what would say her grandmother when she would see Vira, who is stuck in a passionate kiss at the silver screen? She had never dreamed that her grandchild will be in the pantheon of outstanding actors that she will shine in the constellation of art scene, which gave to the world the Poltava region.
Vira found her consolation in the theater. She played in performances and high-school skits. 15 years old our glorious poltavite visited the play "Francesca da Rimini" of Gabriele D'Annunzio. Starred the greatest Russian actress Vira Komissarzhevskaya. When Vira Kholodna returned from the theater, she got a high fever. Fevers lasted a whole week. The doctor explained to her parents that their daughter is too vulnerable and prone to melancholy. She must not be too much to read and dream.
In 1910, Vira graduated high school and at prom met the student-lawyer Vladimir Kholodiy. In the same year they married. In 1912, Vira Kholodna daughter, Eugenia, and a year later, the family has another child - the adopted daughter Nona.
This love has withstood all the tests - and of separation, in particular during World War I, when Vladimir was fighting at the front, and of glory, when Vira was a celebrity and was surrounded by countless admirers.
Vladimir Kholodniy was a talented lawyer, a brilliant orator. Gambling athlete, he is constantly involved in car 
racing. He edited and published the first Russian daily sports newspaper "Auto". During the war he was decorated for bravery with golden arms.
Friends - young actors - were convinced that her life will be devoted to the theater. But Vira Kholodna suddenly "betrayed" the theater and went to the movies. It was a surprise for others but not for herself.
In the films Vira Kholodna started filming in 1914. The first (casual) role was played in the movie "Anna Karenina", directed by Vladimir Gardin. Quickly Vira Kholodna became the most popular actress in Russia. Her name on the playbill guaranteed maximum box-office. Not by chance in just four years, Vira Kholodna starred in several dozen (according to different sources from 40 to 80) films.
At the beginning of 1917 was released film directed by Kharitonov "Forget about the fireplace, it lights went out" ("The Fireplace") based on the popular song. The success of this film has surpassed the success of all created until domestic films. Taken out of film service it was only in 1924.
In early 1919, Vira Kholodna starred in several movies. The shooting took place in Odessa, where raged a severe form of influenza "Spanish flu". The sick actress could not be saved. February 17, 1919 Queen of the silent film, a glorious poltavite Vira Kholodna passed away. She was only 26.
A few months after the death of Vira Kholodna her mother died from typhus and later her husband. A few years later disappeared the last trace of mysterious Vira Kholodna on the Earth - 1931 Odessa Cemetery, where
they buried the actress, was converted into a park.
Vira Kholodna was admired and adored by many: poets, filmmakers, actors. Poems and romances were dedicated to her. Movies were shot about her during her life ("The thorny path of glory"), and after her death ("Slave of Love"), there is a monument to her in Odessa.
Alexander Vertinsky dedicated to Vira Kholodna songs "The Little Creole", "Purple Negro" and one of the most famous poems - "Your fingers smell of incense".
Your fingers smell of incense,
And in eyelashes sleeping sorrow.
Nothing for you can make sence,
Nothing is bad, it’s over.
Translated by M.Mishchanin
