It was a beautiful July evening in 2008.
He had invited me to Istanbul's famous "Sunset" restaurant.
I arrived at the appointed time.
At the entrance:
– Has a handsome Russian guest arrived? – I asked.
– He arrived two hours ago and is admiring the Bosphorus – they said.
I recognized him from afar by his wavy "salt and pepper" hair. He was sitting at the most beautiful two-person table in one of Istanbul's most luxurious restaurants, lost in the unique view of the Bosphorus. He had arrived before the invitation time just to see that beauty.
Evening slowly descended upon the city. He frequently checked his watch, waiting for the sunset with the small camera in his hand. We were sitting outdoors. Before us stretched the dark blue of the Bosphorus. As night fell upon us, the first bridge transformed into a luminous line suspended in the air. Red and white lights shimmered on the water, the current scattering and reassembling them…
Vladimir Molchanov was one of the living legends of Soviet Central Television, a famous radio and television presenter. He gave the impression of a typical Russian intellectual. He was known as a conscientious television journalist. He had been one of the leading faces of the "Vremya" news program and had also hosted the extremely popular show "Before and After Midnight" ("До и после полуночи"). He was a tall, athletic-looking man; he had played professional tennis for many years. But his face was very pale, giving the impression of a sick person.
The light on the table was dim. As the wind swayed the candle flame from side to side, the sadness on his face became clearer. We didn't order drinks. He asked for a simple meal. We had a long and interesting conversation until midnight.
He spoke about Azerbaijan. He said that during the Karabakh events, the resilience and freedom movement of our people were among the main factors that accelerated the collapse of the Soviet empire. That evening I learned that Molchanov had left the "Vremya" program in 1991 in protest against the atrocities committed by the Soviet army during the January events in Vilnius, demonstratively throwing away his party card.
He was silent for a moment.
I broke the silence:
– But why didn't you protest the massacre committed in Baku on January 20, 1990?
He turned crimson. He didn't know what to say. After a short silence, he said in a low voice:
– Yes… I should have raised my voice then too, – he said.
This confession was the most unforgettable moment of the night...
He grew up in a good family. His father was a composer and had once led the "Bolshoi Theater." His mother was a well-known actress. His sister was Anna Dmitrieva, who played in the Wimbledon final and later became a famous sports program presenter on television...
This morning I heard that Vladimir Molchanov passed away on May 12, at the age of 75, succumbing to illnesses he had been battling for years.
I will remember him with respect.
