Marshal Pétain, who was preparing to retire in 1914 and unexpectedly saw his career take off with the outbreak of the First World War, was given power over France at the age of 84

Marshal Pétain, who was preparing to retire in 1914 and unexpectedly saw his career take off with the outbreak of the First World War, was given power over France at the age of 84. Already prime minister at that moment, after the fall of France Pétain became a dictator. A controversial figure and undoubtedly hated for his role in the collaborationist government, Pétain was sentenced to death for war crimes, but was not executed in view of his advanced age: his life imprisonment lasted until he was 95

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September digest: archaeological finds, exhibitions, museums, theatre and the Church

In the finale of the Strugatskys' Roadside Picnic, the Golden Ball is told: "Happiness for everybody, free, and let nobody go away unsatisfied!" I do not promise to offend nobody, but the digest really does come free of charge. So, here is the main business of the

Frederic Leighton

Frederic Leighton. “Daedalus and Icarus”, 1869 Daedalus warns his son not to climb too high: the heat of the sun may melt the wax, but Icarus is already gazing into the distance, and the lamentations of a foolish old man interest him not in the least

Marshal Pétain, who was preparing to retire in 1914 and unexpectedly saw his career take off with the outbreak of the First World War, was given power over France at the age of 84

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September digest: archaeological finds, exhibitions, museums, theatre and the Church

Frederic Leighton

Attempts to resolve the problems of many years of uncontrolled mass migration

Characters from Gogol's "Petersburg Tales" on the pedestal of the monument to Nikolai Gogol on Nikitsky Boulevard, photograph of the 1960s