Miscellaneous 2024, November

Was the founder of Hugo Boss Hitler's personal stylist, and for which the famous fashion house apologized

Was the founder of Hugo Boss Hitler's personal stylist, and for which the famous fashion house apologized

Several years ago, the public was shocked by the facts of cooperation of the famous fashion brand with the Nazis during the Second World War. Hugo Boss sponsored historical research to clarify this sensitive issue. The result was a book describing the company's activities from 1924 to 1945. Despite the fact that she refuted many of the popularized myths, at the same time as her publication, the apology of the German Fashion House sounded

What is unique about the Odessa Opera House, which Forbes included in the list of the most interesting sights of Europe

What is unique about the Odessa Opera House, which Forbes included in the list of the most interesting sights of Europe

The modern Opera and Ballet Theater was built in Odessa in 1887 on the site of the first city theater, which burned down on New Year's Eve 1873. I must say that most of the largest cities in the world have acquired central theaters, having already significantly "aged" and taken place. And in the Russian Empire at the beginning of the 19th century, not a single provincial city had its own theater. Such centers of culture were only in St. Petersburg and Moscow. Odessa is a unique exception

How the eccentric Funduklei became the governor of Kiev, why he did not take bribes and how he changed the city

How the eccentric Funduklei became the governor of Kiev, why he did not take bribes and how he changed the city

In 1839, a 40-year-old brunette Ivan Ivanovich Funduklei arrived in Kiev as the new civil governor, whose name did not say anything to the townspeople. He was rumored to be a bachelor, millionaire and eccentric. But already in the very first days in his new position, the governor aroused genuine interest and deep respect. “He doesn't need your pennies, when his chickens don’t peck money and have nowhere to put them,” Nikolai I said in his hearts

Collaboration during the Great Patriotic War: who and why went over to the side of the fascist army

Collaboration during the Great Patriotic War: who and why went over to the side of the fascist army

There are different forms of collaboration: military, political and economic. One way or another, very many Soviet people had to interact with the occupation regime, who did not dare to join the ranks of the partisans. A. Tsiganok, Candidate of Military Sciences, claims that about 10% of the population in one way or another collaborated with the invaders

Why did the popular TV program "While all are at home" change its name after almost 30 years of existence?

Why did the popular TV program "While all are at home" change its name after almost 30 years of existence?

Who does not know the charismatic and charming presenter Timur Kizyakov, who for almost 30 years on Sundays from the morning comes to almost every house with his popular TV show. During this time, regularly appearing on blue screens with stories about the private life of many domestic celebrities - artists, writers, musicians and athletes, he became a well-known and even close person for the domestic public. And this is why the program has been on air for the past four years

Why did the Russian elite choose Crimea, and what parts of the peninsula did Stalin like to visit?

Why did the Russian elite choose Crimea, and what parts of the peninsula did Stalin like to visit?

At the end of the 19th century, Crimea was preferred over the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus for safety reasons. Before the revolution, when the nobility felt the miraculous properties of the resort, the number of Crimean residences was counted in thousands. The Russian elite, following the example of the tsar, completely reoriented itself to a domestic resort. In the 1920s, with the advent of Soviet power, a couple of dozen sanatoriums and rest homes operated in Crimea. Once in a letter to one of Stalin's comrades-in-arms

Bonivour's wounded heart: why Lev Prygunov had to send his son to a boarding school

Bonivour's wounded heart: why Lev Prygunov had to send his son to a boarding school

On account of Lev Prygunov, more than a hundred works in films and TV shows, he starred not only for Soviet, but also foreign directors, including in Hollywood. However, his career has never been easy: he was forbidden to take pictures, was refused a job because of anti-Soviet views, and his bride was threatened with dismissal from her job if she married an "enemy of the people." And in his personal life, Lev Prygunov had to go through many trials and even send his only and beloved son to a boarding school

Georgy Millyar: the honored Baba Yaga and the lonely gentleman of Soviet cinema

Georgy Millyar: the honored Baba Yaga and the lonely gentleman of Soviet cinema

Probably everyone remembers Baba Yaga, Koschei, Miracle Yudo and other evil spirits from Soviet films for children. All these incredibly bright and expressive roles were played by the magnificent Georgy Millyar. It is not surprising that he is rightfully called the deserved Baba Yaga of the Soviet Union, but is this not too dubious a compliment for a man? Indeed, in addition to roles in children's films, there were so many moments in his life that deserve attention

The main details of the interior of Soviet apartments, according to which housing in the USSR cannot be confused with another

The main details of the interior of Soviet apartments, according to which housing in the USSR cannot be confused with another

Uncomplicated wall-paper, strict parquet and angular furniture sets are details of the average interior that are familiar and close to every representative of the Soviet era. Modern designers have even introduced the concept of "Russian style" into professional terminology, comparing it to kitsch. But even today there are connoisseurs of Soviet interior trends, equipping the premises in the spirit of that historical period

What was sold in the famous Beryozka stores, and why not everyone could get into them

What was sold in the famous Beryozka stores, and why not everyone could get into them

Today, when there is no shortage of goods, it is difficult to imagine that a few decades ago, Soviet people could not buy the necessary thing due to a total shortage. Speculation flourished, because I wanted to dress nicely and try imported products. True, some lucky ones managed to visit the elite Beryozka store. Read what you could buy in it, why volumes of Akhmatova were sold along with American jeans, and how the government closed the chain of these stores in bl

Why Zhukov had to save Marshal Baghramyan from being shot: Brother of the enemy of the people

Why Zhukov had to save Marshal Baghramyan from being shot: Brother of the enemy of the people

The future marshal began his combat path back in 1915. In the ranks of the Armenian army he fought with the Turks, and after the revolution he joined the Red Army. During the Great Patriotic War, Baghramyan showed himself in the terrible 1941 during the tragic episode of the first military stage. The command of the Wehrmacht managed to carry out a brilliant operation - the Kiev cauldron. Then Ivan Khristoforovich led thousands of people out of the environment. True, very soon Zhukov had to save his comrade from being shot, which he highly appreciated all the

Successful domestic actresses who chose a career over the joys of motherhood

Successful domestic actresses who chose a career over the joys of motherhood

Most actresses have played the roles of mothers at least once in their lives. But, meanwhile, some of them, having so believably embodied such images in films, were never able to raise their children in real life. Soviet stars were no exception. Moreover, the reasons for this were different for everyone: some, having chosen cinema at one time, could not make up for lost time, others, fearing to lose their beauty, deliberately refused to give birth, and still others had health problems. Today we will remember the actresses who

What they wrote in the most daring letters to Stalin, and what happened to their authors

What they wrote in the most daring letters to Stalin, and what happened to their authors

Russians have long believed the principle “the tsar is good, the boyars are bad”. How else to explain the fact that it is to the leader of the existing system that ordinary people scribble complaints about the same system? It was the same in Soviet times. Despite everything, Joseph Vissarionovich was in the eyes of his people the personification of goodness and justice. Ordinary people could turn to him for help, but it was impossible to predict the reaction of the "father of nations". What letters did Stalin receive from his people and how this threatened the car

The Sad Fall of a Genius: What Went Wrong for Nikola Tesla?

The Sad Fall of a Genius: What Went Wrong for Nikola Tesla?

One of the greatest minds in the entire history of mankind, an outstanding scientist who stands apart from his fellow physicists is Nikola Tesla. Without his scientific discoveries and ingenious inventions, all of our usual modern life is inconceivable. A genius who has been compared to Leonardo da Vinci, a man far ahead of his time. Why is his name undeservedly ignored by physics textbooks, while he himself died in a hotel room, alone and in despair?

Family drama of the stars of Soviet cinema Vasily Lanovoy and Tatyana Samoilova in and behind the scenes

Family drama of the stars of Soviet cinema Vasily Lanovoy and Tatyana Samoilova in and behind the scenes

Beautiful and successful, they were together for only six years, but their love was so strong that this union remained in the memory of the fans. Colleagues argued that the feelings between Vasily Lanov and Tatyana Samoilova were so strong that they were physically felt even by those who were nearby. Many were jealous of their beauty, acting fame and love. So what was the reason for the separation of the most beautiful couple in the USSR?

How many beloved women Stalin had, and who mourned him after his death as a wife

How many beloved women Stalin had, and who mourned him after his death as a wife

Joseph Stalin, like no one else, made sure that his biography was canonical. Most of the facts were hidden from outside encroachments. Otherwise, Soviet citizens would have understood that their leader is not just an ordinary, addicted man, but also an unbearable husband, and not a very pedagogical father. Revealing the personality of Stalin through the prism of personal relations, one can give an explanation for some events in the country. After all, a lot happened this way, and not otherwise, at the personal direction of Comrade Stalin

Black caviar instead of sprat: How the largest corruption scheme collapsed in the USSR due to a minor oversight

Black caviar instead of sprat: How the largest corruption scheme collapsed in the USSR due to a minor oversight

Almost everyone has heard a couple of incredible stories from their friends that, they say, he bought a sprat for 30 kopecks, and inside there “red caviar, black caviar…”. One can be skeptical about these stories, but the fact remains: the investigation of the largest and most audacious corruption case in the Union began with a jar of ordinary sprat. It is not known how long the criminal scheme would have worked if, by a stupid accident, the sprat "stuffed" with black caviar had not hit the shelves

Why were the first Russian sundresses for men, and why the tsar banned this folk costume

Why were the first Russian sundresses for men, and why the tsar banned this folk costume

"Work carelessly" - the origin of this saying is directly related to the Russian national sundress. A very long outfit that almost completely covers the body was originally far from women's clothing, but men's. The first evidence that the Russian sarafan began to be used by the weaker half appeared only by the beginning of the 17th century. Even Peter I tried to deprive a piece of clothing so beloved by the people of national status. But the sundress survived, and even today, centuries later, this one was

Sergey Yursky: Two marriages and 50 years of happiness of the country's most closed actor

Sergey Yursky: Two marriages and 50 years of happiness of the country's most closed actor

Life has taught Sergei Yursky to hide his emotions, feelings, attachments. Colleagues today call him one of the most private people. He does not like to talk about his personal life, and in rare interviews he always tries to talk more about his work. Despite his incredible popularity, he was never a womanizer or ladies' man. There were only two women in his life, both are talented actresses

Secret Children of Russian Empresses: Who They Become, and How Their Life Developed

Secret Children of Russian Empresses: Who They Become, and How Their Life Developed

The 18th century went down in Russian history as the "age of empresses": five times, counting the regent Anna Leopoldovna, ladies sat on the throne. Of the rulers of this century, the most famous are Peter's daughter Elizabeth I and the wife of her nephew Catherine II. Much is known about their state affairs, while their personal life has always been shrouded in a veil of mystery

7 star "couples" whose relationship ended in a huge scandal

7 star "couples" whose relationship ended in a huge scandal

Scandals, intrigues and investigations are what we read most often on the Internet and in glossy magazines. And last year was really full of all sorts of stories among celebrities who every now and then got into scandals, tormented intrigue and, of course, attracted attention in a variety of ways

3 facets of happiness Chulpan Khamatova: How a famous actress became a foster mother

3 facets of happiness Chulpan Khamatova: How a famous actress became a foster mother

One of the most famous and sought-after actresses of our time, Chulpan Khamatova, has a reputation as a very private person. She gives interviews only because it is extremely necessary for the activities of her foundation, and speaks, as a rule, about creativity and charity. It is extremely difficult to get Chulpan Khamatova to talk about personal things. This is probably why for many years it was believed that all three daughters of the actress were relatives. But, as it turned out, Asya, the middle girl, was adopted at an early age, while ak

11 star couples of Russian show business who melted away in 2020

11 star couples of Russian show business who melted away in 2020

Unfortunately, 2020 was rich not only in weddings, but also in divorces. Moreover, among them there are many very unexpected partings: even the most seemingly strong couples could not overcome their differences and preferred to scatter on different sides. However, while some dispersed peacefully and without pretensions to each other, others could not do without scandals and public clarifications

How Soviet actor Boris Andreev married the first person he met and gave his place in the cemetery to his best friend

How Soviet actor Boris Andreev married the first person he met and gave his place in the cemetery to his best friend

The films of Ivan Pyryev "Tractor Drivers", "The Legend of the Siberian Land", "Kuban Cossacks" brought national fame and love to Boris Andreev, who starred in them. They also gave me a meeting with Pyotr Aleinikov, the best friend of Boris Andreev. It was thanks to Peter Aleinikov that the actor literally married the first person he met. However, Boris Fedorovich himself never regretted it

Married to television: how was the fate of the host of "Good night, kids!" Valentina Leontyeva

Married to television: how was the fate of the host of "Good night, kids!" Valentina Leontyeva

May 20 - Memorial Day of the People's Artist of the USSR, TV announcer, host of the programs "Good night, kids!", "Visiting a fairy tale", "From the bottom of my heart" Valentina Leontyeva. In 2007 she passed away. Charming aunt Valya was adored by little viewers and their parents, Bulat Okudzhava and Arkady Raikin were in love with her, she was twice married, but she called television her greatest love. She had to sacrifice this love a lot

Voice of the era: How the legendary announcer Igor Kirillov bypassed the harsh rules of Soviet television

Voice of the era: How the legendary announcer Igor Kirillov bypassed the harsh rules of Soviet television

On September 14, the famous TV presenter, TV announcer, People's Artist of the USSR Igor Kirillov turns 85 years old. Many associate his name primarily with the Vremya program, of which he was the host for 30 years. Despite the strict rules that existed on Soviet television, Kirillov found graceful ways to evade these rules

Yuri and Eleanor Nikolaev: A chance meeting that became fate and all-conquering love

Yuri and Eleanor Nikolaev: A chance meeting that became fate and all-conquering love

The whole vast country loved the charming, smiling and witty Yuri Nikolaev. When the Morning Mail began, millions of viewers from Kaliningrad to Vladivostok froze at their screens. Letters from fans were brought to him in bags, and the guards of the television center warned the presenter about the impending siege of the girls at the exit. But Yuri Nikolaev made his choice in his youth. His faithful Lyalya was always with him. Only thanks to her, he took place, was able to rise after a crushing fall and survive

Why did the television duet Nagiyev-Rost collapse: Irreconcilable conflicts behind the scenes of the program "Caution, modern!"

Why did the television duet Nagiyev-Rost collapse: Irreconcilable conflicts behind the scenes of the program "Caution, modern!"

Dmitry Nagiyev today does not need performances - he has long been one of the most successful and sought-after artists. But about his colleague, with whom they began the creative path together - Sergei Rost - in our days almost nothing is heard. But over the course of 10 years, their names were mentioned only in pairs, when both artists worked on the creation of the humorous TV show "Beware, modern!" Then they were not only colleagues, but also friends, but in 2004 they parted ways. Behind the scenes, they were not

How the star of the comedy "Home Alone" fights aging: Macaulay Culkin - 40

How the star of the comedy "Home Alone" fights aging: Macaulay Culkin - 40

Macaulay Carson Culkin is a famous American actor and musician, the most famous boy in Hollywood. We all remember the cute, crafty boy from the comedy series Home Alone. This is already a traditional New Year's movie. Macaulay is as witty joker in real life as he is on the screen. He just turned 40 the other day and tweeted, “Hey guys, want to feel old? I'm 40. Please. " What else do we not know about the forever young star of family comedies?

How was the life of the youngest son of Nikita Khrushchev, who emigrated to the USA

How was the life of the youngest son of Nikita Khrushchev, who emigrated to the USA

Sergey Nikitovich Khrushchev always and at all levels spoke of his father with deep respect. He sincerely believed that during the reign of Nikita Khrushchev, people in the Soviet Union began to live better and much freer. Sergei Nikitovich himself was invariably called the worthy son of his father, who never denigrated his surname and achieved outstanding success in science. True, his tragic departure in June 2020 raises more questions than answers

Why did a man who became a father for hundreds of orphans end his life alone: Vasily Ershov and his "Anthill"

Why did a man who became a father for hundreds of orphans end his life alone: Vasily Ershov and his "Anthill"

Vasily Ershov began to create his unique "Anthill", a home for orphans, back in tsarist times. And then he became a real caring father for his pupils. He even gave many of them his own surname, sewed clothes for the children himself, made felt boots and for 27 years did not ask for any help from the state. The simple son of a peasant, who grew up in extreme poverty and finished only one grade of school, taught his pupils all the wisdom of life, and ended his life away from them in

"You are my melody ": the love story of Muslim Magomayev and Tamara Sinyavskaya

"You are my melody ": the love story of Muslim Magomayev and Tamara Sinyavskaya

In the 1970s in the USSR, not a single state concert, not a single New Year's "Blue Light." there was no girl or woman in the country who was not fascinated by his voice and struck by his charm. Many women's hearts were broken when Muslim Magomayev married the Bolshoi Theater Tamara Sinyavskaya. They were together for 35 years

The heirs of the "iron lady": How the life of the children of Margaret Thatcher

The heirs of the "iron lady": How the life of the children of Margaret Thatcher

She was considered almost omnipotent, called the "iron lady" and admired Margaret Thatcher's ability to combine a political career with the role of wife and mother. At first glance, everything in this family was fine: loving parents, beautiful children - the perfect picture for a magazine cover. But only years later it became clear: the role of the mother of Margaret Thatcher ignominiously failed. She failed to give her twins Mark and Carol the most important thing in life

Legendary archaeological adventurers of the early twentieth century, whose adventures would have been the envy of Indiana Jones himself

Legendary archaeological adventurers of the early twentieth century, whose adventures would have been the envy of Indiana Jones himself

When the first film about Indiana Jones was released in 1981, interest in archeology increased many times over. What was previously associated with endless excavation of ceramic shards, through the prism of adventure, suddenly turned into something fun and exciting. Despite the fact that modern archaeologists are skeptical about the actions that take place in the film, history knows several names of men and women of the same profession, whose thirst for adventure can be compared to Indiana John

How was the fate of 4 daughters and the son of the "greatest Briton" Winston Churchill

How was the fate of 4 daughters and the son of the "greatest Briton" Winston Churchill

Winston and Clementine Churchill's marriage was extremely successful. The couple were happy together for 57 years, despite the many trials they went through. They talk about Winston Churchill a lot as a politician, calling him sometimes "the greatest Briton", sometimes a cruel tyrant. But his role as head of the family and father is covered much less often. The Churchill couple had five children, but Marigold, one of the daughters, died before she was three years old. And only the youngest, Mary, became a consolation for her parents

Women - banners, or How a product was advertised with a face at the end of the 19th century

Women - banners, or How a product was advertised with a face at the end of the 19th century

Advertising is the engine of progress. This truth has been known for a long time. Each era had its own ways of advertising. In the United States at the end of the 19th century, there was such a way of promoting goods as "women-banners." Ladies walked the streets and, as they say, showed the goods with their faces. In short, the women's dresses were hung with the items they advertised. It's worth noting that this method worked

How the second marriage and later paternity changed the life of "Uncle Volodya" from the program "Good night, kids": Vladimir Ukhin

How the second marriage and later paternity changed the life of "Uncle Volodya" from the program "Good night, kids": Vladimir Ukhin

He was the favorites of all Soviet children, who, like the heroes of the program Khryusha and Stepashka, called the presenter affectionately Uncle Volodya. For more than 30 years Vladimir Ukhin hosted the program "Good night, kids" and told entertaining and instructive stories to children at night. In his own destiny, unexpected turns awaited him, tests of strength and happiness of fatherhood, acquired only at the age of 62

How was the fate of the daughter of the legendary Marshal Budyonny: Nina Budyonnaya

How was the fate of the daughter of the legendary Marshal Budyonny: Nina Budyonnaya

She was born in the third marriage of Semyon Mikhailovich Budyonny and, undoubtedly, became his favorite, although the sons Sergei and Mikhail also could not complain about the lack of attention from their father. Nina Semyonovna Budyonnaya retained many fond memories of her parents, and in her own life there was a marriage with the famous actor Mikhail Derzhavin, and a great love, because of which she destroyed her family

6 famous personalities of the past who fell victim to court etiquette

6 famous personalities of the past who fell victim to court etiquette

Previously, in any royal court, the behavior of subjects and the monarch was strictly regulated. Observance of etiquette was supposed to exalt the royal person in the eyes of courtiers and ordinary people. But it often happened that the accepted norms of behavior and formalities literally reached the point of absurdity, while bringing harm not only to others, but also to the monarch himself

8 facts about chinoiserie - an exotic style that all the aristocrats of Europe imitated

8 facts about chinoiserie - an exotic style that all the aristocrats of Europe imitated

If we turn to different historical periods, it is easy to see how fashion has changed over the years. Lush toilets were replaced by straight dresses, pomp gave way to simplicity. However, among all this diversity, one can notice something in common - an imitation of the chinoiserie style. Beginning in the late 17th century, Europeans were engulfed in all things Chinese. At first it was dishes, then, decorative elements, clothing and even an architectural style. The hobby for chinoiserie lasted until the beginning of the twentieth century