Written and edited by: Eszter Ruttkay-Miklián

Before we departed, they decided that I was indeed one of them. With this they took me in – theoretically – to the clan. They could not perform it in practice, but they assured me that if I could be with them for just another month, no one would tell that I was not born among them. They would teach me the language and all the customs. This is the best opportunity that a 20th century Siberia researcher can get. I promised that I would return to them next year.

Éva Schmidt: Journal, 1970