How a translator from Tajikistan moved to the USA and became an actress
'16.05.2021'
Source: Sputnik Tajikistan
In the American city of Atlanta, Georgia, where they filmed the legendary film "Gone With the Wind", lives Tajik actress Lola Zaydulloeva-Luton. She works as a recruiter, and in her free time she acts in films, plays in the theater and sings in musicals. He succeeds in teaching English to immigrants who migrated to the United States.
Once Lola herself was a stranger here: she came to the USA from Almaty. True, the girl is of mixed blood - she is more Pamir Tadzhik by nationality, and she spent most of her childhood in the Pamirs in Tajikistan.
Lola told Sputnik Tajikistan about his life: roots, memories of his homeland, emigration to the United States, his beloved work and creativity. Lola paid special attention to the Pamirs. She often visits this mountain region and draws spiritual strength there, and also takes care of her beloved grandmother, who once gave her a happy childhood.
Happiness in the Pamir Mountains
Lola Zaydulloeva was born in Almaty in an inter-ethnic family: father is a Pamir Tajik, mother is a beauty of Russian-Finnish-Kazakh blood from St. Petersburg. Since the father was a soldier, the family often moved, they managed to visit different cities and villages of the Soviet Union.
According to Lola, she spent most of her childhood in the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region with her grandmother and other relatives of her father. The girl played all day with neighbors' children, rode a bicycle, ran a race around the mountain paths.
“All the games were so exciting that I lost track of time and I came home very late. My family was worried that I had been walking for so long and that almost all my friends were boys. But I was happy in those years. I remember the amazing nature that can be compared with Switzerland, clean mountain water and even a homemade pool in the mountains, where we all swam until sunset. And most importantly, the warmth of human hearts, oriental hospitality, helping each other in difficult moments of life. This is what the Pamirs are for me, ”recalls Lola.
By coincidence, the Zaydulloev family settled for a year and a half in Khorog. There, Lola studied in 7-8 classes and could be more often in the village with her grandmother. As such, the culture of the peoples of GBAO Lola learned independently, communicating with their relatives and classmates.
“This is happening in my life to this day. For me, the history and customs of the Pamirs are still a mystery. There is so much wisdom and secrets in them that you can comprehend endlessly. But I am ready to do this all my life, because the Pamirs are my roots, ”says Lola.
The fascinating world of foreign languages
After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Zaydulloev family left for Kazakhstan. Lola lost contact with her family in the Pamirs for a long time; she will return there as an adult person. And in 90-ies, as a teenager, she went to school, then entered the Institute of Foreign Languages.
“At first, I became interested in the German language and planned to leave to study in Germany. But literally six months before leaving school, I wanted to master English. I told my mother about my desire, and she supported: she sent me to English courses. This required a lot of investment, my mother gave half of her salary, ”says Lola.
Then the entrance exams began. When Zaydulloeva filed documents to the Abylay Khan Kazakh University of International Relations and World Languages, the admission committee sent her to the German language department. After all, the school program girl studied German - and so it was stated in her high school diploma. But Lola insisted on her desire to learn English. The dean conducted additional testing with the entrant to verify her knowledge. The girl passed this test and entered the faculty of English.
“This pressure was my first test of confidence in myself and my capabilities. At the age of 17, I learned what it means to fight for your rights, and realized that this will happen often in life, ”recalls Lola.
The girl was a diligent student, sat in the library all day after school. As a result, Lola, who did not study English at school, quickly mastered it and became one of the best students on the course. She understood that studying alone was not enough. Language requires practice, live communication.
In the second year of the institute, Lola tried herself as a translator. Exhibitions for businessmen were often held in Almaty, many foreigners came. Zaydulloeva started working there: first as an intern to gain experience and prove herself.
“The competition was very strong, many linguists wanted to be a translator at international events. But I was persistent and persistent, gradually polished my knowledge, enriched the English language with new terms and learned to communicate with businessmen. Representatives of different companies spoke well of my work, and it inspired even more, ”- recalls Lola of her first successes.
At that time in Kazakhstan, as in all the post-Soviet republics, life was hard. Parents received pennies, salaries were often delayed, and the family barely survived. When Lola started making money at exhibitions, she happily gave money to her family. So the first experience of a translator turned out to be not only a personal achievement, but also the opportunity to live with dignity.
Studying in the third year, the girl was selected for an American company that dealt with international adoptions. She got a job as an interpreter, but in fact was also a psychologist and a manager. Lola's job was to help US citizens adopt children from orphanages in Kazakhstan. The girl talked with people who wanted to take the child, checked their documents in English, was a translator at meetings of children with their future adoptive parents, translated documents, and then accompanied the new family to the United States.
“It was work 24 hours a day with constant communication in different languages. Sometimes one trip to an orphanage in some area took the whole day. And you should always be in touch, calm people who were worried before meeting with future relatives. "
“We can safely say that the whole adoption process was on me and on my boss. But it was a very busy time, I got invaluable practice. And she often roared when she saw the kids in orphanages, and was imbued with their grief, ”says Lola.
Zaidulloevoy was, of course, difficult to combine study and work with such a schedule. Had to sleep on 2-3 hours a day. The girl decided to go to the free attendance of classes.
America called to her
This happened in the 2000 year - on the verge of millennia. The head of the international adoption company, where Lola worked, arrived in Almaty. The woman appreciated Lola's work and decided to invite her to work at the main office in Salt Lake City. There just needed a specialist who knew the Kazakh language and culture and could help adopted children from Kazakhstan to adapt in a new country, to overcome the language barrier in communicating with adoptive parents.
“Everything happened so fast and it was incredible. I understood that the United States is a country of great opportunities. There will be many doors in front of me, and whichever one I open, everything should work out. I had experience and knowledge, I knew how to communicate with representatives of different countries, so I was not at all afraid of the new atmosphere. Of course, it was sad to leave my homeland, my family. Mom was especially worried about me and did not want to let go. But I dreamed of going to the USA, including to live with dignity and help my family, ”says Lola.
In Salt Lake City, Utah, the girl flew in with Nurpeis Kasymov, Minister of Education and Science of Kazakhstan, as his personal translator. Lola accompanied the minister at business meetings and helped negotiate, soon Kasimov flew back to Kazakhstan.
Zaidulloeva started working in a new position: she helped future adoptive parents to prepare for adoption, went with children to different states and introduced them to new families, taught English, translated documents, and then left for Salt Lake City. So Lola spent a few years.
During this period, met her man and married, her second name - Luton. Once the international adoption program closed in Kazakhstan, and Lola left the company.
To help the way it was once. After leaving the company, Zaydulloev decided to devote herself to her family: husband and child. She took care of the house, rested a lot, soon gave birth to a second son. But still wanted to develop. Lola began working as a freelance translator: she took on difficult texts on medicine, emigration, engineering, aviation, and engineering. Also, she got a job as an English teacher in a local school and college. She does this today.
“I love teaching foreigners who come to the States and want to learn English. Courses are free for immigrants. They are tested, teachers determine the level of their knowledge and then distribute them into groups. Foreigners have an incentive to study well in order to adapt in a new country and obtain American citizenship. There is nowhere without English, so students work with enthusiasm, and it is a pleasure to teach them! ”Says Lola.
Now the children have grown up a bit, and the girl is already fully continuing her career. Her main job is a recruiter in a large recruitment agency. Zaydulloeva helps people find work in the US and Canada. Most of her clients are specialists in IT, finance, and healthcare. Sometimes people who want to occupy administrative positions also apply.
“When a candidate turns to me, we start with his resume, change and add something. Then I select vacancies for his profile, advise how to behave in an interview, how to show the employer your best qualities. Sometimes it happens that additional licenses are needed for financiers, and I help to obtain them. ”
“If a person does not pass the interview or for some reason cannot take a position, I still work with this candidate until he finds a job, even if for another position. It is a great happiness for me to help smart, capable and hardworking people find their place in life, ”she says.
South Hollywood actress
In her free time from HR, Lola teaches English, and two years ago another interesting direction appeared in her life.
The fact is that in her childhood Lola graduated from a music school and was always at the center of amateur performances. She sang and danced, even dreamed of becoming an actress in the future. It was also a hobby that helped brighten up life in military camps. But then because of the work on an artistic career did not have enough time.
After many years, the girl had a second chance. The city of Atlanta, in which Zaydulloeva settled with her family a couple of years ago, is the southern center of the American film industry. The legendary film Gone with the Wind was once filmed here, and today major film companies are located, castings and screen tests are constantly held. So Lola decided to take up acting craft.
The first role Zaydulloeva received in 2016 year in the dramatic film "Modern waster". There she played a single mother who hardly manages to raise her little son. She tells the reporter that her boss may be selling drugs at a rehab clinic. After that, the woman disappears, and subsequently she is found dead.
Lola's second film is the Indian melodrama "Simran" about a woman who became addicted to gambling and started robbing banks.
“Here I replaced in some scenes the famous actress Kangana Renaut, the leading actress. Kangana can't drive, and I steered for her at high speed. You can say she was a stuntman, ”says Lola.
The film premiered in September 2017. And now the girl is preparing to shoot in the musical comedy "Get into a habit", she goes to rehearsals almost every day.
In the acting environment, a woman calls herself Lola Luton (by the name of her husband), this is how her name is indicated in the credits of the films. Sometimes Lola sings in musicals and takes part in local concerts, and recently got a role in the theater.
America through the eyes of Pamirka
When asked if it is difficult to live and work in a foreign land, Lola replies that she does not. She was convinced by her example: if you know the language, comply with local laws and work hard, then success will come.
“I have been living in the USA for almost 17 years. The standard of living here is excellent, there are a lot of career opportunities. A person can become anyone. Of course, there are things in Central Asia that I miss, but overall I am very grateful to America for a lot in my destiny. My family is here, I also transported my mother, ”she is proud.
Lola knows examples of people who upon arrival in the States could not find work, fell into depression, they had to start a career again. Yes, and Lola had problems with employment, when she migrated from one to the state to another. She managed to visit Utah, Oklahoma, Nebraska, and Texas. Now settled in Georgia for the future.
“After living in a new place for some time, I quickly found new activities. Translations have always saved me, I also work as a volunteer in various organizations, and this subsequently played a big role in my career. The main thing is to go forward and constantly look for new opportunities to express yourself, ”she is sure.
Call of the Ancestors
Zaydulloeva always remembers her roots and every year visits the land where her ancestors lived.
“After the collapse of the USSR, I did not have this opportunity for a long time. I graduated from school in Kazakhstan, then college, and then moved to the United States. And now, 23 years later, I felt that I had to go home. I visited my grandmother, who is already 90 years old. She has already lost her sight and can only feel me near. It was nice to walk along my native streets, meet childhood friends with whom I was happy, walk in the mountains where I collected stones and pomegranates, sit on my favorite hill overlooking the city, drink tea with nuts, eat a tandoor cake and taste the fruits fruit trees. They are filled with solar energy and are the purest ecological product, ”she shares her impressions.
Lola recalls that when, for the first time after the break, she was traveling to the Pamir, her friends were worried and said that it was dangerous there: the mountains are too close to each other, only a small plane can fly in perfect weather. And the girl, though she was traveling alone, replied: “It is God's will for all!”. Before the road, she prayed and after a few hours set foot on her native land.
“In the Pamirs, I feel absolute peace of mind, harmony in life, detachment from the bustle. Here time stops and I can live in pause mode. There is no such thing in the States. Therefore, I come to my native Pamir to be alone with myself, to receive the vital energy of the mountains, which help to streamline thoughts. And, of course, to be with your beloved grandmother. An amazing moment: after so many years, people have not changed at all. The same warm and welcoming, they invite you to visit, even if you are a stranger. And taxi drivers in the city refuse to take payment. They smile and answer that they don’t take money from guests. One neighbor, an old grandmother, touched me to the depths of my soul: in one day she knitted me juraby as a gift - knitted socks made of multi-colored wool. You will never see the same pattern on those socks, ”she says.
As for plans and dreams for the future, now for Lola the main thing is that her mother recovers. Several years ago, the woman was diagnosed with brain cancer and underwent major operations. Friends in Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Russia, Australia, Canada, Egypt, USA and European countries prayed for the Zaydulloyev family and continue to pray.
Also Zaydulloeva-Luton wants to continue his career as an actress and make films with interesting stories. He dreams of a movie about Tajik historical figures, and also plays in Russia and Kazakhstan.
“The main thing is to stay true to yourself and do what you love. Then everything will work out, ”Lola is sure.
A month ago, she returned from a regular trip to GBAO and gained new spiritual strength there.
“Every time I visit the Pamirs, I try to learn the basics of the Pamir languages in communication with people. It is a pity that in the written version there are no manuals for its study: the language is transmitted only by word of mouth. My dream is to find fellow countrymen in Atlanta and create a Pamir culture club with them in order to practice the language and preserve traditions in a foreign land. But the most valuable thing is that which is invisible. Roots, the land of the ancestors - amazing grace. I am always drawn back to my homeland, ”concludes Lola.
