Another Gagarin

Today, 9 March, would have turned 87 years old our first cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin. We present images from his personal life to the first man to conquer space.

During his lifetime, and after the death of Yuri Gagarin's sculpted the image of the ideal man, the symbol of communism. But what was it really? We tried to get away from stereotypes and adopted story from year to year through the media. In our material there is no official imagery and standard cards in the suit. Only photos from the life of the common man by the name of Yuri Gagarin.

Gagarin — photographer. Autumn of 1965.

Party in the "Star city", which was arranged in honor of the astronauts in the spring of 1965. Left — Yuri Gagarin, on the right — Alexei Leonov.

Post-flight rest. Crimea, summer 1961.

Yuri on vacation.

Crimea, summer 1961.

Yuri Gagarin with his daughters.

Friendly hug with Fidel Castro.

In trips abroad. After his flight, Gagarin visited several dozen countries.

The captain of the hockey team of cosmonauts "Our" Yuri Gagarin. 1963.

Physical education. Two years after the flight, Gagarin is still in good physical shape. Summer of 1963.

Yuri Gagarin with camera.

Gift of the French company Matra sports car Matra Djet. 1965.

Respectable owner of a black "Volga". 1967.

"The hunters at rest", autumn 1966.

A good duck hunting. Autumn 1966.

Yuri Gagarin with his daughters, Galya and Lena.

Two days before the flight, Gagarin wrote a letter to his wife, Valentina. He knew that he had a very dangerous event, the risk to life was great. This is the letter:

I decided now to write a few lines to share with you and share together the joy and happiness that I have fallen today. Today, the government Commission decided to send me to space first. You know, dear Valya, how I wish you were happy with me. Simple person entrusted with such a major challenge is to build the first road into space!

Can you dream for more? Because this is history, this is a new era! Through the day I should start. You are going to do their business. Very big task fell on my shoulders. I would like it a little time with you, to talk to you. But, alas, they're not. Nevertheless, I always feel you close to me.

The technique I trust completely. It should not fail. But the fact is that the blue man falls and breaks his neck. Here, too, something can happen. But I still don't believe it. Well, if that happens, then I ask you first of all you, Valya, not to kill myself with grief. After all, life is life, and none is guaranteed that it will not be crushed by the machine. Take care, please, our girls, love them like I do. Grow from them, please do not shirkers, not a Mama's daughters, and real people who are bumps of life would not be afraid. Grow up people, worthy of a new society — communism. This will help you state. Well, to arrange his personal life, as conscience tells you, as you see fit. No obligation, I do not impose upon you, and shall not have the right to do so. Something too mournful letter obtained. I myself don't believe it. I hope that this letter you will never see, and I would be ashamed of myself for this momentary weakness. But if something happens, you should know all to end.

I still lived honestly, truthfully, for the benefit of the people, though it was small. Once the child read the words of V. P. Chkalov: "If to be, to be the first." So I try it and I will be until the end. I want Valya, to dedicate this flight, the people of the new society, communism, in which we are already entering our great country, our science.

I hope that in a few days we'll be together again, be happy.

The valechka, please don't forget my parents, if possible, help in something. Give them a big Hello from me, and forgive me for what they did not know, but they are not supposed to know. Well, it seems, and everything. Goodbye, my family. Tightly you hug and kiss, Hey your dad and Jura. 10.04.61 Gagarin"

Valentina has read this letter only seven years after the death of her husband in a plane crash on 27 March 1968.