30 Years After Rena Galibova’s Passing, Her Legacy Shines On
Robert Nudel-Iskhakov
Maryland
This year, on October 14, 2025 (or October 9–10, 19 Tishrei according to the Jewish calendar), marked the 30th anniversary of the passing and the 110th anniversary of the birth of Rena Abramovna Galibova – the great Bukharian-Jewish singer, People’s Artist of Tajikistan, whose name is forever inscribed in the history of Bukharian Jewish, Tajik, Soviet, and world musical culture.
Recently, I had the great privilege of visiting Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan, together with my good friend Aaron Achildiyev, his sister Zoya, and his parents Mila and Rubin. His mother Mila Musayeva is a granddaughter of Rena Galibova. This trip was not only a journey through a beautiful city of Dushanbe, but also a pilgrimage back in time dedicated to the memory of this legendary singer.
We visited the Bukharian-Jewish cemetery, where Rena Galibova’s husband, the distinguished professor, writer, and literary scholar Gavriel Rubinovich Samandarov (of blessed memory), who led the Department of History of the Tajik Language and Literature at the Tajik Pedagogical Institute named after Shevchenko for many years, is buried. We also visited her former house on Azizbekov Street in the city center. The following day, we toured the halls of the Tajik State Opera and Ballet Theater named after Sadriddin Ayni, where Rena shined on stage alongside other Tajik and Bukharian-Jewish People’s Artists of Tajikistan, such as Avner Mullokandov and Rafael Tolmasov.
When we entered the theater, we were warmly welcomed by the director, Kamoliddin Sharofiddinovich Sayfiddinov, whose father created the first opera in Tajikistan. In honor and memory of the great singer and actress, we presented him with a portrait of Rena Galibova for the theater museum on behalf of the Samandarov family. This gesture was received with deep gratitude.
The atmosphere of the theater and the memory of the Rena left a profound impression on us.
The following day, we were invited to a live broadcast on the Dushanbe Radio “Vatan”, where Mila and I spoke about her life and achievements for nearly an hour. Thousands of listeners tuned in, not only from Dushanbe but also from other regions of Tajikistan and even beyond its borders. This was a tremendous honor and demonstrated how alive the memory of Rena Galibova remains even to this day.
Life and Career of Rena Galibova
Rena Abramovna Galibova was born on May 24, 1915, in Kokand, Russian Empire (now Uzbekistan) to Abram Galibov and Adina Yagudayeva.
Her childhood was spent in the capital Tashkent, where her father worked as the director of the local theater. He became her first teacher, introducing her to the art of singing.
Even in her youth, Rena participated in theatrical productions, including the musical comedy “Arshin Mal Alan” by Azerbaijani composer Uzeyir Hajibeyov, playing the role of Gulchehra, among other performances.
She was greatly influenced by the famous Tamara Khanum – a world-renowned dance star and People’s Artist of the USSR – from whom young Rena learned vocal and dance techniques. During this time, Rena became a soloist of the Tashkent Radio Committee. At the age of 19, she married Bukharian-Jewish writer and literary scholar Gavriel Rubinovich Samandarov.
The couple had four children: Edik (of blessed memory), Avik-Avner (of blessed memory), Lora, and Slavik.
After the birth of Avik, the family moved to the city of Stalinabad (now Dushanbe), where Rena continued her career at the State Drama Theater named after Lohuti. Later, her star rose on the main stage of Tajikistan – the State Opera and Ballet Theater named after Sadriddin Ayni.
She performed leading roles in operas such as “Carmen” as well as “Neda,” “Nushafarin,” and others, captivating audiences with her mezzo-soprano voice and stage talent.
Triumph and Recognition
A special milestone was her participation in the 10-day Festival of Tajik Artistry (includes music and dance) in Moscow in April 1941. She performed arias and songs before Joseph Stalin himself, including “Ey Buti Nozaninam!” composed by A. Kamolov to Lohuti’s poetry, and “Hasanjon” (folk verses), which impressed both the audience and state leaders.
A member of the Politburo suggested awarding Rena the Order of the Red Banner of Labor, but Stalin insisted: “No, she deserves more; she should receive the Order of Lenin!”
The following day, Politburo member Mikhail Kalinin presented Rena Galibova with the highest award of the Motherland – the Order of Lenin. At only 26 years old, she became the first woman in Tajikistan and among Bukharian Jews to receive this high honor and was also awarded the title of People’s Artist of the Tajik SSR.
Tours and Global Fame
Rena Galibova’s fame extended far beyond Tajikistan. She performed in Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, and toured frequently in Moscow and Leningrad (St. Petersburg). Her voice was heard internationally – in Europe and the Middle East, where she was received with great admiration, particularly in Afghanistan and Iran.
In every city, whether Tashkent or Moscow, her performances became cultural events. She not only brought Tajik and Eastern musical heritage to the stage but also blended the rich traditions of Bukharian Jews, Tajik classical music, and world opera.
Memories of Colleagues and Students
Numerous recollections of Rena from colleagues, friends, and students remain to this day. Artists of the Ayni Opera and Ballet Theater called her “the pride of the stage” and “a singer who could unite the soul of the East with the European school of opera.”
Her students recalled that she always paid attention to young singers, offering advice on voice techniques and how to convey emotions through song. She often said:
“The voice is not just power and beauty. It is a soul that must be shared with people.”
Theater critics noted her rare stage charisma. She could inhabit a role so deeply that audiences laughed and cried with her, whether in “Carmen” or the Tajik “Nushafarin.”
Her family remembered her as kind and modest, despite her global fame, she was always very humble. She did not seek praise for herself but loved her people, her music, and her stage.
One colleague said after her passing:
“When Rena walked on stage, the hall fell silent. When she sang, it felt as if the history of our people itself was singing.”
Bukharian Jewish composer, the late Yakhiel Sabzanov described her singing vividly:
“The earth trembled, and fire rose from the ground.”
She was the first performer of the song “Ey, Badakhshanka Moya” and later the first performer of Solomon Yudakov’s song “Gardam Man Az Raqsidanat, Ey Dukhtere” (“I am captivated by your dance, oh girl”), with lyrics by Mirzo Tursun-Zade.
Her bright, playful, danceable melodies combined with expressive poetic lyrics instantly became beloved by the people.
Final Years in NYC
In 1991, Rena Galibova immigrated with her family to the United States, settling in Boston. Despite the distance from her homeland, she remained close to the hearts of her friends and family.
In September 1995, exactly one month before her passing, all her relatives and love ones gathered in New York to celebrate her 80th birthday. This was the last joyful and warm event in her life, filled with memories, music, and laughter.
On October 14, 1995, Rena Galibova passed away in Boston. She was buried in the Bukharian-Jewish section of Mount Carmel Cemetery (Cooper Avenue) in New York, where other great figures of the community also rest. Even in her final years, her memory and cultural contribution remained vivid among family and admirers.
Legacy
Rena Abramovna Galibova’s work has forever remained in the hearts of her contemporaries and the cultural memory of the peoples of Central Asia. Her voice resonated in arias, folk songs, and operatic roles, bridging East and West, classical and folk traditions.
Today, 30 years after her passing, her songs continue to inspire, and her memory unites generations. Long live the memory of a great woman, the beautiful Rena Abramovna Galibova bat Adina, Bukharian Jewish singer and actress, People’s Artist of Tajikistan and Unfading Star of the East!