I met Helen Limonova as a collaborator on the Vintage Montage project in 2013. It was a moment that changed my life forever. Later, I worked with her in publishing, where she was not just an editor or publisher, but a real guide to the world of literature. Authors approached her publishing house and I sometimes illustrated their books, witnessing Helen’s inspiration and support for each of them.

Helen was a true knight of the book, her love of literature so deep that she could not remain indifferent to anyone who had a drop of talent. She had a shop in the old bus station in Tel Aviv where she sold books and, of course, introduced her new authors. It was a place where everyone could feel part of a great literary community, where books were not just a commodity but a source of inspiration and knowledge.

But Helen was more than just a publisher and bookseller. She was the soul of the entire union of Israeli Russian-speaking writers. She regularly organised meetings with an open microphone and covered tables, where both established poets and prose writers and very new writers could speak. These meetings were a real feast of words, where everyone could speak, share their thoughts and ideas. I used to go home from such meetings inspired, with lines that had sunk into my heart, with new contacts of interesting acquaintances and sometimes with new clients.

I was not at all surprised when Helen put her own work up for the reader’s verdict. She had always been a gifted writer and her books were the complete opposite of what she published. Her writing was profound, heartfelt and full of sincerity.

Helen planned her life around books right up to her last days. She made hearts beat faster and minds dive into the world of imagination, learning about the world of literature through her work. With her unique style and excellent craftsmanship, she easily captured the imagination, immersed it in fascinating stories and opened up new horizons in the literary world.

I am blessed to have known her. She was not just a colleague or friend, but a true inspiration and teacher. Her influence on my life and career cannot be overestimated. Helen Limonova left behind not only books, but a shining memory of how to live with a love of literature and how to share that love with others.

by Paulina Geibl-Kravts