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But. You see, "the trouble is not with the personality of the despot who oppresses his family and everyone around him. He is powerless and insignificant in himself; he can be deceived, removed, thrown into a pit at last... But the point is that with his destruction despotism does
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1990: Sberbank of the USSR advertises cashless payment (the advertisement itself is on the back of an Ogonyok poetry collection, incidentally). As you can see, the automatic payment of utility bills was invented long before debit cards became ubiquitous and Sberbank Online was ever thought of.
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You will come quite unexpectedly, Clattering loudly down the corridor – Oh, how much meaning is attached To a gait, a smile, a glance! How sweet to be kissed before everyone. With a greeting that seems heartless, To hearken with a shackled heart To dear, indifferent words. Literal translation "Clattering
Books · Observations · People · Pop Culture · Humour
lol, fashion historian Alexander Vasiliev has given me a fashionable dressing-down for not citing his bestseller in my piece on Volkova. Needless to say, a great deal is written about the Russian spy in general, especially in the gutter press. But on the whole his "Beauty in Exile&
Cinema · Books · Monarchies · Observations
Of course, such a nod towards the ruling dynasty is no invention of Michaud's; writers and makers of meaning have resorted to this device since time immemorial. Shakespeare, too, when he seems to scold Henry V, on the one hand brings him closer to the common people, rendering
Cinema · Books · Monarchies · Science
Was There a Plot Against Henry V? According to the storyline shown in "The King", Henry V is pushed towards war by an attempt on his life by the French. In reality, the plot to assassinate Henry V was uncovered on the eve of his attack on France,
Cinema · Books · London · Monarchies · People
In Shakespeare's lines Henry V appears as the warlike Harry; historians describe him as given to aggression, cunning and duplicity. Where the new king did manage to lower the level of his father's ferocity was in the matter of the Welsh rebels, who had risen against
Cinema · Books · Monarchies · People
Was the Youth of Henry V Really So Dissolute? Yet another myth of Shakespeare's making has found flesh, thanks to the efforts of the film crew behind “The King”. Though the prince and his father did indeed have political differences, the future king never renounced his status, nor
Cinema · Books · Museums · Observations
Among the many films about the Middle Ages, The King is neither the most outstanding nor the most contentious, though its makers dusted the museum artefacts so zealously that they shook out a good part of the history. Credit where it is due: the picture has turned out handsome after
Cinema · Books · London · Monarchies · Observations
Shakespeare's Henry is the ideal national hero, and by showing his imperfection the freewheeling interpreter only brings the ruler closer to the people, so that the reckless drunkard and ne'er-do-well becomes all the more beloved and all the more patrioti. Among the first words
Cinema · Books · Monarchies · Science
Henry V is, for the English, one of the best-loved figures of their history and very nearly the champion of screen adaptations, rivalled only by Richard the Lionheart, Henry VIII and Queen Elizabeth. But what makes this not especially distinguished, yet so celebrated, ruler so attractive? Talent! And a