Spotlight On Writers
Etya Krichmar
@etyakrichmar
- Where do you originate from?
I come from Kazakhstan, grew up in Ukraine, and built a family in Moldova, all are former Republics of the Soviet Union, a place where dreams were often stifled by fear and oppression. My origin is rooted in resilience, where every act of survival was an act of quiet defiance. It’s a past that shaped me but did not define my future.
- What do you cherish most about the place you call home?
The place I now call home is America. I cherish it for the freedom it offers. America allowed me to find my voice, speak, believe, dream, and live without fear. When I arrived in New York in 1977, it was as if I’d shed invisible chains that had bound me for too long. Freedom, to me, is life itself. Without it, there is no growth, no joy, no light.
- What ignites your creativity?
My creativity is ignited by stories of the past—memories of my family’s struggles, sacrifices, and triumphs. I desire to preserve these stories for the next generation and remind the world that resilience and hope can endure even in the face of unimaginable oppression.
- Do you have a favorite word and could you incorporate it into a poetic phrase?
My favorite word is Freedom.
Poetic phrase:
Freedom is the breath of the soul,
A whisper of courage that shatters walls,
A beacon that lights the darkest paths,
And the rhythm to which the heart beats true.
- What is your pet peeve?
One of my greatest pet peeves is indifference. In life, there is no room to turn away from injustice and no space for apathy in the face of suffering. Indifference allows harm to flourish, while compassion and action bring about change. In life and writing, I value directness, clarity, and action.
- How would you describe the essence of Etya Krichmar?
Etya Krichmar is a woman forged in the fires of adversity but softened by love and hope. She is a mother, a writer, and a dreamer who believes in the power of storytelling to heal wounds and preserve the truth. Her essence is freedom, embodying the yearning for it and the unyielding commitment to protect it. She stands as a bridge between the past and the future, ensuring that the lessons of one become the wisdom of the other.
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