Deportations from the Region of Chernivci (Ukraine) and Edinets District (Moldova)

After we spoke with Nikulaye Skripkaryu and his wife, we returned to Boyan with the same driver.

Nikulaye, son of Ion Skripkaryu (87 years old). 9th of August 2012.

Interviewers – M. Tarita, M. Lopata and A. Mastyka. In the Romanian language. About the Onega labour camp and the labour in Armenia.

- How did You remember the end of the war?

- A-ha, this which began in 1941 to us [our times - A/N]?

- Yes. - I don't even know how to tell you. The war was a difficult age for the humanity. When they took us the war wasn’t ended, when they mobilized us from these parts of Bukovina, of Moldova, from all these parts, Moldovans, Romanians, took us for labour, you know? They didn't take them to front, but there were great difficulties. We were taken in different ways. We were taken to Finland, to Onega, to work, where the Finland’s front was. Later we were moved from there, they took us to work in Armenia at mines of copper and aluminium. After that, sometime in 1948 we were liberated and we came here, and began the collectivization. We had shortages and many deportations. Many people were deported from here. (...) From Mahala they took around 600 families, till the beginning of war. (...)

- How did they take you?

- It was August. We stayed till 1948 in Armenia. We came the last from there.

- First time at Onega?

- Yes, in the Karelo-Finnish...

- How, who came for you?

- KGB took us to Chernivtsy, to the Eye Hospital, retained us for 3 days, after that they put us in such trains, for animals and we went for 13 days till Medvezhagorsk. There we worked at “lesosplav” [rus. rafting of wood].

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