Set and costume designer Ivana Greifová (֚†83), wife of singer Josef Laufer (83), died on Thursday in prime time. The daughter of the artist couple, Ester Laufer, has now given an open interview to the editors of eXtra.cz. How does she remember her mother about her and what does she miss most now?
Ester Laufer: Mother Irena Greifová will never smile at you again
My condolences, Esther. How do you cope when you lose your mother, especially just before Christmas?
“Thanks. I don’t associate it with Christmas because Dad (Joseph Laufer – late order.) he is still in the hospital. I could not wait for my mother to come home, but the worst thing for me is that I lost her. She is sad for all of us around. You can never prepare to lose your mother. Of course we knew, she was sick, she was many years old, that was to be expected, but it’s still tough and we’ll have to get through it.”
It must hurt a lot…
“The worst thing for me is that no one will ever look at me as enthusiastically as when my mother saw me. This is the saddest thing. I can’t say I’m alone, not at all. The support I’ve received over the past few days is incredible and I am very grateful. But without mom, I feel lonely. There is, or was, only one. To mom, you are a child for the rest of your life, and whatever you do, she lights up always. Once he leaves, one is grown up and alone.”
I heard that one day you were planning how he was going to go to your house, and the next, unfortunately, the unfortunate business of saying goodbye.
“It was pretty much like that. It was quick. I knew it wasn’t good, but at the same time there was a possibility that it would be good. I planned the food, even how we would drive her home. The day before I suspected she was ill, unfortunately she left on Thursday at seven in the evening.’
Did you get a chance to say hello to your mother?
“Yes. And I am extremely grateful for that”.
Irena Greifová: Night in Karlštejn, Three veterans…
They say miracles don’t happen, but your mom had one three years ago when she had toxic shock and everyone was worried about her, right?
“Mom had several such great miracles behind her. About three. But you can’t ask her all the time. When we wanted it and needed it, we got it. It was beautiful.”
The general public probably didn’t know the name Irena Greifova so famous, but had a huge backlog of work behind her. She was certainly respected by a number of famous artists.
“And colleagues and collaborators. Mother was a set and costume designer. She produced a number of theater productions and films that were loved by several generations. At random, they were, for example, such films as Morgiana, A Night on Karlštejn, Kerosene Lamps, The Ninth heart, Three veterans, The Secret of the Castle in the Carpathians, The Queen of the Lake and the like. But in addition to having been for a while at the National Theater, she has also worked in the fields since childhood. There probably won’t be a single theater in the Czech Republic where she hasn’t accomplished something. And you also taught scenography at DAMU. Her students were a number of today’s successful stage designers. You have left a distinct mark behind you.’
Did you fondly remember your job after retirement?
“When she was done, it was gone forever and she didn’t care anymore. She didn’t talk more about her profession than she did at home. She stopped drawing and read a lot. She led me to do the same and her love of reading remained to the very end. She was very formative for me. But both parents.
Have you thought about what has given you the most in your life?
“I’ve been thinking about it all the time for years. Both my parents are very generous. They gave us self-confidence and the belief that if a person wants to do something, he can do it. But in a healthy way. He didn’t praise us at all costs. Mom also taught me, for example, a love of fine art, instilled in me the basics of cultural overview, a love of knowledge, they both supported me in travel, even if it was difficult for them when I was active in conflict areas”.
Esther replaced her father in care
Was she tender and gendarme at the same time?
“My parents were freelancers, a bit outside the box, I also grew up with my grandmother and grandfather, close to the theatre. Mum was probably a little sloppier, and also cuddly. But we were in contact with all the family”.
How did she accept your help when your roles were reversed and you started caring for her?
“She seemed happy. Initially we both thought it would only be for a while, that the father who had taken care of her would be back until edited by. It was natural that it was me. And he was happy, he showed it to me. It was nice. He remained radiant until the end when he saw me ».
Do you remember the best advice he gave you in life?
“I used it all my life. When once I was afraid of something and I was nervous about it, my stomach was in my throat, my mother said to me: tomorrow will be evening too. It’s the best advice she could give me. I remember it often and it helps me. But he also told me many other things».
