Question & Answers with Maria Gordeeva
Translation of an exclusive interview with Maria Gordeeva given to the Russian site www.gordeeva.ru. Taking into account that the translation from Russian was made by amateur translators, there might be errors in the wording or meaning. The original of the interview can be found on the site www.gordeeva.ru/mariagordeeva.htm.
Not to be published in other mass media without Maria Gordeeva's consent.
QUESTION & ANSWERS WITH MARIA GORDEEVA
translated by jj, jmfunnyface, Amy L., MoonlightElegie, OlyaS and katweige
A few days ago I've met with Katia's sister, you all know her name is Maria.Before that I called her and asked if she can give us some pictures for the web page. Because she needed to agree this with Katia, Masha called Katia. Please don't ask me any questions weather or not Katia has seen this page - I don't know this. But Katia let her to give us some pictures - more exactly to try to find anything of that was leaft in Moscow. The thing is that everything old and new is now in States, and practically nothing is still in Moscow. Masha was specifically looking for something that was suitable for our site, a great thanks to her.
But that little is very interesting - Katia'a daughters.
I am not going to tell you everything right away, 'cause I care about more people coming to view my site.
About Daria I can tell from what Maria's told me that her lst name is Gordeeva-Grinkova, journalist Hodorkovskiy told us the truth. Liza's last name is Kulik. Daria is just super, she is very hardworking and organized girl, she is involved in many activities, and most importantly she has a disire to be inolved. she skated very well, goes to two schools at the same time, one is normal school, another - mathimatical, she wins English competitions in her school, plus to that she is learning Russian language with a special teacher. Maria is purchasing textbooks in Moscow for Daria. Daria is learning to play flute? and learning to play drums. What's so special about Daria is that she keeps everything in perfect order, all things have their places and she will not go to bad untill everthing is in order. She goes to sleep without a reminder, overall, Daria is super.
About Liza Maria could say very little, 'cause she's spent very little time with her. She saw her twice, first time when Liza was 2. The reason for that is that Maria could not get US visa for 2 years,and could not visit her sister. Maria does not know wheather Katia has seen this site, she can only guess that she did. Katia treats her fans great, but she doesnt' have any time for fans. By the way Maria doesn't have a computer at home, only at work. For us "GG maniacs" it's normal to think of i-net as a wonderful way to communicate and everyone should use it, but in reality not everyone uses it or needs it.
What else.... It turns out that the monument on Sergei's grave was vandalized twice. First time the crystal peice was crushed - relatives have replaced it. Second time it happened right before Katia' arrival to Moscow, next day Katia and Masha came to the cemetary and saw a vandalized monument. You can imagine what were the feelings.... They've decided not to fix the chrystal piece anymore... All, who is in Moscow - Maria and Sergei's sister - Natalia, absolutely, always visit Sergei's grave. This is the answer to some nasty publications.
That's about it.
Question: What is your relationship with your sister like?
Maria's answer: We are sisters thru the phone. We do not see each other often, but we talk on the phone a lot. We've had different lives since childhood. When we meet, we as girl-friends we share secrets, but meetings happen so rarely.
Question: What was it like having a figure skating champion as a sister? Was there any discomfort or jealousy?
Maria's answer: I don't remember exactly, I don't think anyone in school really talked about it. I can tell you that I don't feel any discomfort about it, not even a hint of it. People realize that my surname is familiar to them, and then they'll ask, “Is your sister really the figure skater?” Some don't ask, some are surprised. Some of my close friends simply as how we are doing since they know Katya too.
Question: In My Sergei Katya wrote about the performances you two would put on as children, and how she forced them upon you. In the book she wrote that she later felt bad about it. What's your attitude about these performances?
Maria's answer: Yes, she was very much the little creator since childhood. She really thought out any performance, dances and concerts. For me, she wasn't being mean, I was 4 years younger than her and I wanted to do it all even though I did it all very clumsily (although I studied choreography later on). I would always confuse my right and my left. Katya would tie a red bow around my right leg so I could remember which was my right leg and which was my left.
Question: Have any of Katya's fans ever tried to communicate with your family
Maria's answer: No, never.
Question: Do people write or call the Moscow address?
Maria's answer: When she went to school, yes there were calls and letters, but not anymore.
Question: Does Daria come every year with her grandparents to the Dacha, or does she stay with Katya in the States?
Maria's answer: She used to come every summer, but she comes less frequently now, not every summer. She does like the Dacha, and has many friends there with whom she trades little presents and writes to.
Question: How do Daria and Ilya get along? What does she call him?
Maria's answer: She calls him by his name. They get along well both at home and on the ice because he frequently trains her on the ice.
Question: How frequently does Katya come to Russia?
Maria's answer: Not too frequently, not because she doesn't want to, but because her family, work, house and friends are in the States. Sometimes she tells me that she misses Russia, the Dacha, the streets of Moscow, but only when she is remembering it. She's been living there (The USA) for a long time, it's a good place for the kids.
Question: Do Natalya and Katya keep in touch?
Maria's answer: Yes, but because they live in different countries, they only talk by phone.
Question: And Svetlana? Sergei wanted her to study in the USA, has Katya kept up with that?
Maria's answer: Yes Sergei wanted her to study in the USA, she does study abroad, but not in the USA.
Question: What do you do for a living?
Maria Answer: I just finished studying at the Legal Institute. I work in the realm tourism.
Question: Is it hard to live here, while your family lives in the US? Do you think about going to America?
Maria Answer: We've gotten use to the distance, so it's turned out okay. I did live in America for two years and studied there and worked there a little too. Now I've returned to Russia, and go to the US on holiday.
Question: Are there any qualities of Katya you wish you had, and vice versa?
Maria Answer: Never. She is who she is, and I am who I am.
Question: Is it possible for you to ask Katya for photos of your grandmother. She spoke so much about her, it would be nice to see photos.
Maria's answer: I shall ask and try to find them.
Question: Can you ask if Katya or Daria visit any websites or forums online. It would be nice for Katya to know that she has so many fans and admirers in Russia. We would be very happy if she knew about us. Can you tell her about us?
Maria's answer: (IN BOLD): SHE WILL KNOW ABOUT YOU! I PROMISE!
2004-03-29 up-date:
Question: Does Katya's family have any pets? Sergei loved dogs, and Katya had a mastiff...
Maria's answer: Yes, our family had Veld, our great Dane. Sergei really loved dogs, before he and Katya got married they had Mashka, a bull terrier ( a little white dog with a black eye). Daria absolutely loves dogs, and she's been begging her mother to buy her one. Katya was close to agreeing once, but at last convinced Dasha that with their schedule, and the constant flying, it would not be a good environment for a pet. I do remember that at one time Daria did have fish.
Question: (Okay, this one I didn't really get. if someone wants to go back and help me I'd appreciate it!). In My Sergei it mentions that Katya got married in a church and Daria was christened in a church called the Church of Vladimir, however in Moscow there is no church with such a name.
Maria's answer: It's not a big church, it's a small church that is to the right of a gate by a cemetery.
Question: Your father wanted Katya to be a ballerina, did he also want you to be a ballerina? Or did he want you to be something else? Maria's Answer: No, that was his dream for Katya, not for me. I don't remember what my parents wanted me to be.
2004-04-13 up-date:
Question: In your answers you call Katia Katerina. Is she called different names in different houses? (Is she called by different names depending on where she is?)
Maria's answer: Yes, I call Katia Katerina. She is called different names depending on where she is: Katyuha, Katyusha, Katya, Katerina, our grandfather called her Katrin.
Question: There is a film from 1994 where your parents, with a sleeping Daria, are watching Katia and Sergei's Olympic program. Is this film from American TV or was it a local film (was it domestic)? Were you there?
Maria's answer: I don't remember exactly where I was during filming, but the filming was done by CBS.
Question: Have you read Katia's book "My Sergei" and have you seen the movie?
Maria's answer: Yes, I read the American version of the book and watched the film. I was there for the filming of the parts of the movie filmed in Russian ans saw it in the USA.
Question: Has Daria read Katia's book "A Letter for Daria"? Did Katia write this book herself?
Maria's answer: Yes, Daria read "Letters" but I haven't asked her what she thought of this book. To write a book requires much time and skill. Of course, Katerina had professional help to write the books.
Question: Did Katia tell you about Artur Dmitriev's show is was in last fall in Saint Petersburg?
Maria's answer: Katia didn't talk much about the show in Peter (Saint Petersburg) but she was happy to be in Russia. I really wanted to go to the Petersburg show but I couldn't. That evening, I received a call from Vitia Petrenko (Vikor). He, imitating Boris Yeltsin's voice, told me that Ekaterina Gordeeva wants to talk to me. The celebrated the show in a Petersburg restaurant and he sounded cheerful.
Question: Do you watch figure skating and, if yes, who are you favorite figure skaters?
Maria's answer: I watch figure skating occasionally--not all the time. After the last world championships I liked many skaters--Russian, Japanese, Germans, etc.
Question: What did you first meet Ilia and what was your first impression? Is Ilia closed (does he keep to himself)?
Maria's answer: I have known Ilia for a long time and I don't remember what my first impressions were. I wouldn't call Ilia closed but it's more that he is not too trustful, which is absoltuely correct (right, appropriate).
Question: When Katia leaves for competitions (tours), does Ilia stay with Liza and Daria or does he call her parents to help?
Maria's answer: When Katerina leaves for competitions (tours) Ilia, without any problem, stays with Liza since she was born. But, it is hard to cope with both because Liza needs to be fed and put in bed. Dasha has to be taken from (to and from) school and training. So, when Katia is away, Dasha usually goes to grandma and grandpa.
Question: What do you remember about Sergei and do you have any stories about him?
Maria's answer: I have very happy memories about Sergei. As to any stories, I just can't think of any to tell you.
2004-06-24 up-date:
Question: Does Katia like to drive? What kind of car does she have (not the family in general, not Ilia's, but specifically Katia)?
Maria's answer: In America she doesn't live without a car, and whether or not she loves to drive, that kind of question, I think, she hasn't asked herself. Right now she has a BMW X5.
Question: What is Katia's favorite Soviet film? What kind of music does she like?
Maria's answer: I have no idea what Katia's favorite Russian film is. I can say it's the same case with music. I constantly send her disks with descriptions of new Russian pop music, but what she definitely listens to, I don't know.
Question: Does Katia play tennis, golf, volleyball, etc.? Does she like to watch competitions in any kind of sport (not counting figure skating)?
Maria's answer: Katia, suffice to say, plays tennis well and she likes to watch it.
Question: Does she have a favorite alcoholic drink (previously she liked Chablis)?
Maria's answer: I don't know exactly, but what I remember to the best of my knowledge, she prefers cognac out of all other drinks.
2004-07-01 up-date:
Question: Were you at Katia and Ilia's wedding?
Maria's answer: I couldn't be there because I did not have an American visa.
Question: Where did Katia and Ilia christen Liza?
Maria's answer: Liza hasn't been christened yet. There wasn't a chance to do this because we want this done in Russia and Liza was only here three days last summer.
Question: Have you been at some of Dasha's competitions?
Maria's answer: Yes, I was at competitions but it's more interesting to me to watch shows she is in and, of course, in training.
Question: Does Dasha like to be an older sister? In the book "Letter for Daria" Katya wrote that Daria liked the name Elizabeth. Is this why Liza is named Liza?
Maria's answer: Dasha loves Liza very much and being an older sister is pleasant. Dasha named Liza and Elizabeth so Liza was named Liza with Dasha's help.
Question: What foods did you and Katia like in childhood?
Maria's answer: As far as I can remember, we loved caviar. Katia liked the black and I liked the red. Katia loved "bird's milk" cake. (note: The cake "Ptichye Moloko" or "Bird's Milk" is actually souffle covered in chocolate).
Question: How are your parents?
Maria's answer: For our parents everything is in order, healthy, happy, and full of energy.
2004-10-21 up-date:
Question: What were Katia and Daria's impressions from their trip to Russia?
Maria's answer: Both were delighted with the reception they received. Katia likes to skate in Peter. That said, they were both warmly accepted, it was hard to walk by fans without stopping to give autographs. All the gifts given to them have been safely sent to the US. Dasha was delighted to receive a small figurine and was very suprised that you knew that she collected them. She is very touched that she has great admirers in Russia. Katia showed me that you transferred everything (my note: see below). At the dacha there was one poster (small) that was made by the girl from Rostov, I believe. The other copy has been sent to America. Katia really laughed that the picture of Liza in her nightgown is shown. On September 27th Katia and Dasha came to Moscow. I was departing for a holiday in one day so so there was not a lot of time to go somewhere together. We visited the store called "Mega", where Dasha and Katia bought sporting goods, then we went to a small restaurant and then to see our parents at the dacha. After I left, Katia and daddy went to Moscow and then went somewhere with Masha Butryskaya. In general, Katia and Dasha were very pleased with their trip.
2004-10-27 up-date:
Summary: OK, first of all, Maria said that Katia uses many different perfumes but when she picks something, Maria can always go and buy the same thing because she knows she'll like it. She said Katia is always better at finding new scents.
The question was whether people recognized Katia and Daria at the MEGA store, where they went when they were in Moscow, and Maria noticed some people staring and pointing fingures at them, but no one actually came up to them.
Another question was whether Katia likes designer clothes and if she ever wore clothes by famous Russian designers, and apparently Katia prefers Adidas and Nike, and there are plenty of stores in America where such clothes are sold. :-)
She wore Yudashkin clothes once when he designed uniform for the Russian Olympic team.
American fast food was out of the question at Katia's house. If they go out, they prefer Japanese food or other seafood dishes. Katia likes to cook soups and actually uses cookbooks. They often go to the Russian store for groceries.
Katia's parents live in the US and in Russia. They travel so much that they don't really know where they live.
2004-11-29 up-date:
Question: What does the family think about Katia's new hairstyle?
Maria's answer: Katerina has very nice hair that grows fast so she can change styles easily. Mom and I don't like it when it is very long. About two years ago Katerina's hair went almost to her belt and this wasn't something we liked very much. Her hair color is always natural. I can't rememeber a time when it was other colors (need help in translating haircolors). Several years ago Katia used a computer to try on different hairstyles and colors. I remember there was one style--bright red curly hair...it was very funny but not a style for Katia!
Question: Did you like the bathing suit photos of Katia in Sports Illustrated"
Maria's answer: I liked the idea of the photos and the location in general but Katia didn't look good to me...it seems that the bathing suit style and hairstyle (long hair) was not her style.
2005-01-16 up-date:
Question: Have you ever gone skating with Katia?
Maria's answer: Certainly I skated with Katia and it was enjoyable. She had no attitude about skating with me. It was in America on the ice where Katerina usually trained, late at night so no one was there. On skates I can stand and move a little bit but, in general, I only skated during childhood, around 4 or 5 years old, and I think I used Katerina's old skates.
Question: What does Katia miss about Russian life when she lives in America (not necessarily food items) most of all?
Maria's answer: Usually Katia says that she misses Moscow as a whole -- the street where she lived in Moscow, and the dacha. I remember how she asked me to take a picture from the window of our Moscow apartment and send it to her. Concerning Russian products: where she lives there are no problems because there is a very good Russian store 10 minutes from her house by car.
Question: Do you speak fluent English? And has Liza begun to learn English?
Maria's answer: I speak English, not fluently, but for work and trips abroad it is sufficient. Liza speaks very interestingly, though when Dasha was her age she did too. She speaks Russian at home and English at school, but in both the Russian and English languages Liza always adds 'childish' words and pronunciation. Both Russians and Americans can understand her but not always every word. With her 'childish' language, it's the best way for her to talk to her grandfather and they always understand each other.
2005-04-05 up-date:
Question: Does Daria have an accent when she's speaks Russian?
Maria's answer: She doesn't have any type of accent whatsoever, she speaks Russian and English very cleanly. Sometimes she'll forget how to say a difficult word (in Russian), but she's able to talk around it. She reads different children's books in Russian, and she also has a tutor with whom she studies grammar and writes dictations. She studies Russian with our (meaning Russian--translators note) usual school textbooks. In school, by the way, she is one of the best in her english class.
Question: Where do Katya and her family usually go for vacation?
Maria's answer: From what I can remember, they usually go to Hawaii.
Question: Do you have any photographs of you and Katya from your childhood where you looked like each other? In the film "My Sergei" as well as in the book, two photos were shown. But from our view you two don't look much like each other at all.
Maria's answer: There is one photo, where Katya and I are by the sea (the one time of the year where I left my parents' side on the beach--not exactly sure if that's the right way to say that--translators note) and in that photograph we look much more like each other. In general, Katya and I looked quite a bit like each other until Katerina stopped gowing and I kept on growing. But in this photograph it's not noticeable. One time, when Katya and I were still small and the same size, our mom got mixed up when we came into her room around 7 in the morning on a weekend. She couldn't understand who was who since she was still half asleep.
Question: Do Katya and her family observe American hoildays?
Maria's answer: Yes, they do observe American holidays. Afterall, they have many American friends where they live. And Dasha also dresses up for Halloween or hangs up hearts for Valentine's Day. In general, our mom loves to do all these things more than anyone. During every holiday she decorates the house and does so with such enthusiasm, that it is impossible to be indifferent about it.
Question: During the time when Katya and Sergei competed, did you go to any competitions where they participated? When Katya was younger did she have any other nicknames except for "Baba Katya?" (Grandma Katya--translators note)
Maria's answer: I went to Katerina's competitions, but only when I started to understand what was going on. No one drug me there by force. And as for nicknames, from what I can remember Sergei called Katya "Katoosh..ts-ts." But not with the meaning of a poisionous fly, just simply the name. (Translators note: I'm guessing the sound after "Katoosh" means the sound a fly makes. There is probably some other meaning to this that I don't know about. Anyone else want to give it a shot?)
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