I was a teenager in the years of the World War II. At the age of 14, I was accepted to the ensemble which was directed by my aunt Gavkhar Rakhimova.

I was a teenager in the years of the World War II. At the age of 14, I was accepted to the ensemble which was directed by my aunt Gavkhar Rakhimova.

We gave concerts and held events for soldiers. Since I was very young, I participated in choral and dance performances. Although we did not fight, but with the help of our concerts we tried to inspire and encourage our soldiers. This was our weapon. As a child, I saw and experienced all the horrors of the war, the image of brave soldiers remains forever before my eyes. Today, I am the only living member of that ensemble (my mother was also among them).

I will never forget the faces of our fighters, who watched our performances with interest and said that, looking at us, they remember their families, brothers and sisters. When I hear the word "war", images of our brave soldiers, their furious cry "We will win!" comes before my eyes.

"War" is a word that makes the heart stop. After all, war is hunger, suffering, horror.

Hearing yesterday that the President of our country signed the Decree "On encouragement of the World War II participants" in connection with the public holiday May 9 – Day of Memory and Honor, celebration of the 73rd anniversary of the Victory over fascism, as well as the resolution "On measures of preparing and conducting events dedicated to the Day of Memory and Honor", I felt incredible joy and happiness. I express my deep gratitude to the Head of our state, may peace always reigns in our country. Cash awards determined by the documents, as well as free trips to the sanatorium for war veterans and participants of the labor front became a reflection of great attention and concern for us.

I'm 88 years old, and 68 of them I spent on the stage. I am a happy person, because I have the honor to serve our people, win their love and respect. Our government, our President, a caring people always honor us, the elderly. They never forget about us in joyous days. I wish that happy people lived in our country, who do not know what "war" is, may the sky of our Motherland always be clean and peaceful.