People
The people in Raisa's letters and diary — family, friends, fellow workers, and the German household where she lived.
Raisa Pogorelova
Раїса Григорівна Погорелова · Born September 16, 1924, Kyiv · Signed her letters as Рая, Райха, Раеса, Раюха, Раїса
Eighteen years old when taken to Germany. Seamstress, diarist, polyglot. Became fluent in German — "принимают меня за немку" (they mistake me for a German). Kept a diary she titled Дневник Deutschland. Sent parcels home despite earning 17 marks/month. Wrote with literary talent and sharp wit.
Family in Kyiv
Анна (Аня) Погорелова
Main correspondent. Initially assumed to be Raisa's mother — confirmed as sister by a birthday card (turned 22 in November 1942). Raisa translates Anna's letters for the German family: "They say they're very smart and interesting."
Бабушка
Lives in Kyiv. Writes letters to Raisa.
Гришунок / Гриценок
"Маленький папашник." Raisa draws him a rabbit cage diagram, explains plowing, sends pencils and erasers.
Мотик / Мотроша
Дядя Ваня
With family: Ljolya, Katya, Valya. Raisa writes to him but gets no reply.
Толик
Never writes! Finished school at 99%.
The Farm — Schönaich
Walter
Hunts foxes and hares. "Komm bei mir" — the first German words Raisa heard from her employer.
Ludwig (Людвіг)
Hunter. Works in the cowshed alongside Kurban at 4:55 AM. Mows clover.
Hedwig (Гетвіг)
Close to Raisa. Gifted her gold earrings. Takes photographs. Packs parcels for Eduard at the front.
Eduard (Едуард)
On the Eastern Front. Anti-war views. Wounded in arm, was in Kyiv. Deployed via Frankfurt on July 10, 1943 — only 4 days home leave. "Очень хороший человек." In love with Anna's photo.
"Schön" (Шён)
"Very kind, cultured, attentive." Clearly fond of Raisa — calls her "грушка, слива, яблочко — всё только моей Рай." Sits beside her while she writes at night, wishes he could read Russian.
Fellow Workers
Vladislav Kurbanbaiev (Курбан)
"Высокий чёрный с большими карими глазами." Tall, dark, big brown eyes. Already 15 months at the farm when Raisa arrived. Spoke German well. Her "единственный друг и собеседник" — only friend and conversation partner. Married, 2 children.
Рая / Реля Ш.
Traveled with Raisa from Kyiv. Separated at neighboring farm — the moment is one of the most emotional in the diary. Didn't speak German; Raisa translated for her.
Danilo (Данило)
Replaced Kurban at the farm.