OREANDA-NEWS. July 31, 2008.  Together with Director General of Angarsk Electrolytic Chemical Combine Alexander Belousov, Yevtushenko went to the grave of the first manager of AECC Viktor Novokshyonov, who was his good friend.

Yevtushenko remembers: “Recitals were banned but our outstanding scientists — Landau, Kapitsa, Flerov – helped us to organize them in their secret research institutions. Novokshyonov organized my and Vysotsky’s recitals when they were banned in Moscow.”

The widow of Novokshyonov Nina Novokshyonova writes in her book “We Lived in Unknown Cities”: “… We had his (Yevtushenko’s) books and knew his poems by heart. His first recital in “Sovremennik” gave a start to our meetings once in two years. Viktor Fyodorovich (Novokshyonov) and Yevtushenko were real friends. The “Dwarf Birches” poem is dedicated to Novokshyonov.”

The poet laid flowers on the grave of Novokshyonov. He said that Novokshyonov actively supported him and many other poets. “Our friendship helped me not to lose heart and faith in Russia and myself. I wish there were more such optimists – people who perfect themselves not only in their profession but regard the spiritual development of their country and any industry as part of the general process, including the development of culture.”

Yevtushenko urged the management and the staff of AECC to preserve the good traditions established by Novokshyonov.