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Geography · Maps · Observations · Society
A map showing the percentage of gas imported by European countries from Russia is rather old, dating from 2006, and Nord Stream is not yet on it, but it is nonetheless highly picturesque
A map showing the percentage of gas imported by European countries from Russia is rather old, dating from 2006, and Nord Stream is not yet on it, but it is nonetheless highly picturesque. More up-to-date information can be found in a graphic by The Economist. France depends on
NB! · Geography · Observations · Pop Culture · Humour
If the Corinth Canal, linking the Aegean and Ionian seas, was opened in 1893, how did the BBC come by this photograph of the ship Argo sailing through it, bearing Jason and the Argonauts from the 27 states of the EU in quest of the Golden Fleece?
Faith · Art · Observations
The Bogolyubovo Icon of the Mother of God, regarded as the earliest image of the Intercession
Into my mind comes the image of the Bogolyubovo Icon of the Mother of God, commonly called the oldest iconographic depiction of the Protection. Created between 1158 and 1174, the icon is held to be the first ever painted on Russian soil. The story of its making is traced to
NB! · Observations · Pop Culture · Humour
Allow Me to Preen a Little Longer in Dior and Gucci
Observations · Mores · Society
A favourite Facebook group asks what Soviet roubles and Beryozka shop certificates are worth
A favourite Facebook group asks what Soviet roubles and Beryozka shop certificates are worth. And, you know, looking at the latest political events in the world, I allow myself to disagree with the experts who say they are now worth nothing. I would be especially wary of swearing that they
Archive · Books · Observations
Booths with lifting mechanisms for card catalogues in the Prague archive
The Prague Archive was fitted out with very convenient booths with lifting mechanisms for using vertically oriented card cabinets. Today all this is, of course, obsolete: card catalogues are being replaced everywhere by electronic ones, which is, in my view, a serious mistake, one we shall yet have cause to
Observations · Mores · Humour
Caricature of a dinner guest who must eat truffles he dislikes out of politeness
How an unfortunate guest who detests truffles sees a truffle on his plate. I can tell you that he is plainly not in a Moscow restaurant
Art · Museums · Observations · Humour
Statuette of Judith with a sword and the curly-haired head of Holofernes
Little Judith, 1525, by the German sculptor Conrad Meit, alabaster, Bavarian National Museum. Holofernes has really lovely hair
Faith · Observations · Society · Rome
I listened yesterday to Pope Francis opening a conference on the priesthood, and tried to look at the pontiff afresh
I listened yesterday to Pope Francis opening a conference on the priesthood, and tried to look at the pontiff afresh. We have grown used to the Pope saying, almost invariably, the right things, the things that many would like to hear in their progressive secrecy. But alongside these things, expected
NB! · Observations · Society · Humour
If anyone still doesn't know what true love is, I, for one, have spent 334 hours talking about how grandmothers in the USSR received no pension
Aristocracy · Archive · Monarchies · Observations
Group photo of European princes and Grand Duke Mikhail Alexandrovich in Denmark
When you truly love one another, borders become no more than lines on the political map of the world. The proof is a group photograph of European princes at an aristocratic gathering in Denmark. From left to right: Carl of Sweden, Christian of Denmark (the future King of Denmark and