Books · Observations · Society

There will yet be accusations against the author from so-called patriots, who sit quietly in their corners occupied with wholly unrelated affairs, piling up little fortunes and arranging their own fate at the expense of others; but the moment something ha

There will yet be accusations against the author from so-called patriots, who sit quietly in their corners occupied with wholly unrelated affairs, piling up little fortunes and arranging their own fate at the expense of others; but the moment something happens that they consider offensive to the fatherland, some

NB! · Society · Humour

Protesting Canadian Truckers Look for a Cowardly Prime Minister

NB! · Society · Humour

On learning that Justin Trudeau and his family have fled their Ottawa residence on account of the anti-lockdown protests

NB! · Observations · Society · Humour

When the Ministry of Emergency Situations texts you about a yellow weather alert

An elderly man in white papal vestments with a pectoral cross sits in an armchair, with a microphone beside him.

NB! · Faith · Observations · Society · People

Pope Francis calls for universal prayer for peace in Ukraine

Pope Francis has called on everyone to pray for peace in Ukraine. Unexpectedly.

NB! · Faith · Monarchies · Society

This is how the solemn requiem for King Louis XVI is held in the churches of France

Monarchies · Society · Paris · People

Execution of Louis XVI by guillotine on 21 January 1793 and the question of his guilt

On 21 January 1793 the 38-year-old citizen Louis Capet, formerly known as King Louis XVI, was executed by guillotine. To the very end he insisted on his innocence. Yet by almost any reasonable standard he was, in all likelihood, guilty of treason after all, though he did not

Art · Madrid · Museums · Society

Last year the Prado Museum reattributed the painting "The Colossus" as a work by Francisco Goya of 1808-12

Last year the Prado Museum reattributed the painting "The Colossus" as a work by Francisco Goya of 1808-12. A naked giant with a clenched fist, standing before a field of scattering people, may, in the view of art historians, symbolise the struggle against Napoleon's army.

Archive · In the Press · Faith · Observations · Society

Epiphany bathing in Saratov in 1949 and the feuilleton in the newspaper “Pravda”

Legendary images of Epiphany bathing in the Stalin era were printed in the country's main newspaper. In 1949 the feast of the Epiphany in Saratov became the subject of a satirical feuilleton in Pravda; the mocking piece dwells on stories of those who fell ill with pneumonia after

Cinema · Society · Nature · Humour

Wolf photographed for the first time in Luxembourg, where the species was exterminated in 1893

A wolf has been photographed in Luxembourg. What of it, you ask? Firstly, the picture unmistakably shows the wolf from the cartoon "Once Upon a Time There Was a Dog" [Zhil-byl pyos], voiced by Armen Dzhigarkhanyan. Secondly, wolves were exterminated in Luxembourg as long ago as 1893,

Almaty · Books · Observations · Society

It is with gladness of heart that I learn the bookshops came through the twilight of Almaty's vandalism untouched

It is with gladness of heart that I learn the bookshops came through the twilight of Almaty's vandalism untouched. At any rate, the shop in the photograph and Akademkniga on Furmanov Street suffered no harm in the course of the outrages committed by looters and loathsome rioters. Perhaps

Architecture · Observations · Society

The Throne Wobbles

The throne wobbles. Steps in the residence of the President of Kazakhstan. Photo by Bagdat Asylbek. The residence was originally built as a Lenin museum, but by the time it was completed, the figure of Lenin had lost its relevance in the political life of the country.