It was a time when only the dead smiled, happy in their peace.

Anna Akhmatova (1889-1966) was a Russian poet and writer. She is considered one of the greatest female lyric poets of the 20th century. Born Anna Gorenko in Odessa, she spent most of her life in St. Petersburg and Moscow. Her writings focus on the struggles and suffering of the Russian people under Stalin's rule. Her poetry is characterized by a vividness of imagery, a sense of resignation and a profound emotional intensity. She was also a translator of works from French, German and English. Akhmatova's work was banned during the Soviet era, but she was widely read in Russia and abroad. She is remembered as a symbol of courage and resilience in the face of oppressive regimes.