Once, at the opening of an exhibition of father and son - Ülo Sooster and Tenno Sooster, artist Boris Zhutovsky spoke about "the duty to the living—to help and love. The duty to the departed—to remember."

On October 28, the life of young and talented artist Alexandra Badashkeeva was tragically cut short. A graduate of the Stroganov Academy and the Estonian Academy of Arts, she knew how to remember, help, love—and, of course, create.

A few years ago, Alexandra wrote a profound article about Ülo Sooster's work, which beautifully illustrated.In it, she noted, "Ülo Sooster is an example of stoicism and artistic independence, a model that is difficult to follow even today." The magazine Harmonica, which included the article on Sooster, was published by Alexandra and her husband, artist Sergey Lotsmanov, with their own funds.

Recently, the couple had been teaching together at an art school in the town of Jõhvi—the very town where, in 1956, Ülo Sooster and Lidia Serkh married after his release from the labor camp. Together, they wrote an article for children titled "Art Improves Life." 

They also opened an exhibition, The Green Door, in Jõhvi's art school gallery at the beginning of October.

Three days before the exhibition's closure, Alexandra tragically passed away.

It so happened that Alexandra's friend was Margarita Sooster, an artist and granddaughter of Ülo Sooster. Margarita wrote the following: "Perhaps it’s because we’re only in our 30s. We often feel that everything lies ahead, that there is so much time for life, creativity, and important words.

Sasha was a remarkable and sensitive artist, an intelligent and erudite person whom I was lucky enough to meet in life. I wish I had told Sasha that. And that I’ll be waiting for her exhibition of magical art and graphics..."