Abstract From Investigative Philology. Marina Tsvetaeva as a witness in the Ignace Reiss’ assassination casein the light of two interrogation protocols

Abstract

The issue of the involvement of Marina Tsvetaeva (1892–1941) in the proceedings held by national authorities (the court and prefecture in Paris) in relation to the assassination of a Soviet spy Ignace Reiss (1889–1937) has never been a topic of scientific elaboration in the field of Russian studies in Poland. My article describes and provides analysis and interpretation of two interrogation protocols of the Russian poet who testified as a witness at the Paris prefecture on 22 October and 27 November 1937. Tsvetaeva’s testimony, however, was focused mostly on the activities of her husband, Sergei Efron (1893–1941) as an agent rather than on the issue of the Lausanne murder. As a result, they did not bring any substantial information related to Ignace Reiss’ assassination case. The protocols also contain factual mistakes regarding the events in the witness’ life and the life of her daughter. It may seem that the reason for the mistakes was Tsvetaeva’s poor mental, physical and intellectual health in those times of hardship. Maybe she simply played a role that she had previously prepared for herself.