Russian poet Olga Ivinskaya (1912–1995) is remembered as Boris Pasternak’s friend and lover, and the inspiration for the character of Lara in Doctor Zhivago (1957). She was also his co-translator for contemporary poetry collections.

Olga Ivinskaya was instrumental in getting Doctor Zhivago published in Italy and in other countries after Pasternak (1890 –  1960) was unable find a publisher in Russia. She was imprisoned in a labor camp for several years because of her relationship with Pasternak and involvement in the publication of the novel. Read More→