Faith · Books · Monarchies · People · Humour
In the prologue to Jean de Joinville's book of 1309 on the life of the French king Louis the Saint, four occasions are listed on which he showed knightly valour, risking his life for others. One of the four perils that met the king on his path through
Observations · Society
In his address Putin recalled the druzhina of Sviatoslav and Vladimir Monomakh. What made Sviatoslav's druzhina famous? In essence, it was the first professionally organised military formation of Rus'. Moreover, Sviatoslav recruited his retainers on the Spartan principle: they joined the druzhina from their earliest years, grew
NB! · Art
NB! · Art · Pop Culture · Humour
No, this is not an eleventh-century Viking wedding ring, but the work of modern jewellers. It costs $185
Monarchies · Heritage · Society · Paris
The Grand Collar of the Legion of Honour weighs 952 grams and is made of solid gold. It was first created in 1804 as a mark of distinction worn, among others, by Napoleon. It became the emblem of the President under the Third Republic. The example presented to Macron was
Mores · Society · Paris
A compulsory part of the inauguration of French presidents is the Investiture ceremony, held since 1881. The president is solemnly presented with the symbol of supreme state power, the collar of the Grand Master of the Legion of Honour, to the words: “We recognise you as Grand Master of the
NB! · Observations · Society · Paris
Macron is, after all, a very friendly and open man. During his inauguration ceremony he personally greets every single person in the hall, and more than 400 guests have gathered. He shakes hands, pats shoulders, embraces, says hello to adults and children alike, and even finds time for a few
NB! · Society · Paris · Humour
NB! · Society · Paris
The inauguration of Emmanuel Macron, re-elected for a second term as President of France, is now under way in the Salle des Fêtes of the Élysée Palace. Macron promises "to serve this country. To serve our fellow citizens. To serve our young people."
NB! · Observations
Coming Up · Cinema · Science · Society
In 1988 an ordinary doctor at a children's polyclinic in Elista detected HIV among his patients, despite the distrust of senior colleagues, a shortage of information and the conditions of a provincial hospital. The high-profile investigation drew the eyes of the whole country and brought about colossal
NB! · Moscow · Society · People
It has emerged that, as of today, the 70-year-old Rimas Tuminas has left the post of artistic director of the Vakhtangov Theatre, which he had headed since 2007. Tuminas was, without exaggeration, one of the finest directors in Moscow