Mother Recounts Three Years of Grief and Remembrance After Daughter's Nova Massacre Murder
Translated & summarized from Maariv by baba
Three years after Dana Daniela Petrenko was murdered at the Nova festival, her mother Olga is speaking out about her enduring grief and efforts to memorialize her daughter. Olga described the harrowing wait for news on October 7th and the devastating confirmation of Dana's death alongside her boyfriend Daniel Gultman. She is advocating for a state inquiry and has established a memorial bench in Haifa to honor Dana's love for the sea. Olga aims to ensure her daughter's memory and the events of that day are never forgotten.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Olga Petrenko is coping with the third anniversary of her daughter Dana Daniela Petrenko's murder at the Nova festival.
- Dana and her boyfriend Daniel Gultman were killed together during the October 7th Hamas attacks.
- Olga is working to memorialize Dana, including establishing a seaside bench in Haifa.
- She advocates for a state commission of inquiry into the events of October 7th.
- Olga aims to ensure her daughter's memory and the tragedy are not forgotten.
Three years after her daughter, Dana Daniela Petrenko, was murdered at the Nova music festival alongside her boyfriend Daniel Gultman, her mother Olga is sharing her ongoing struggle with grief and her efforts to memorialize Dana. Olga described the agonizing days of waiting for news after the October 7th attacks, initially hoping Dana would walk through the door.
Olga recounted the morning of October 7th, when her family was preparing for a holiday meal, unaware that Dana and Daniel had traveled to the festival near Kibbutz Re'im. As news of the attacks emerged, initial calls from Dana's friends raised alarms, but attempts to contact her were unsuccessful. The family, along with Daniel's parents, desperately searched for information, contacting hospitals and missing persons hotlines.
Tragically, the news came that Dana was among the victims. Olga described the moment she was informed, a devastating blow that shattered her world. She spoke of the immense pain of losing a child, emphasizing that while her heart is broken, life must continue, as Dana would have wanted.
In her efforts to keep Dana's memory alive, Olga has worked to establish a memorial bench overlooking the sea in Haifa, Dana's hometown, reflecting her daughter's love for the ocean. She also advocates for a state inquiry into the events of October 7th, determined to ensure the tragedy is not forgotten.
Olga shared memories of Dana's life, her aspirations in sports, her military service, and her deep love for nature, music, and the sea. She also spoke of Dana's profound connection with Daniel, describing their love as immediate and powerful. Olga continues to cherish Daniel's memory as well, noting his protective act of shielding Dana with his body during the attack.