Haiku (hokku) remains popular largely due to the fact that it perfectly conveys the subtexts of the funny, allows you to achieve amusing understatement - a couple of expressive strokes, a reference to the mysterious oriental nature - and the joke is ready. But when the haiku, which at first bore the name "hokku", appeared in Japanese culture, his role was just that - a comic one. But thanks to the poet Matsuo Basho, the haiku genre rose to the very heights of Japanese art - it turned out that “the haiku space is endless
An equal sign can be placed between the name of Anna Akhmatova and the word "love". She loved everything in this life: the amber sea, the crane at the dilapidated well, the smell of bread and oysters in the ice. Her sublime soul rang with notes of love, which were woven into lyrical lace, making her feel and rejoice together with the poetess. But her own love story with Nikolai Gumilyov was far from romantic, but on the contrary, brought only suffering and pain
The legendary military leader Alexander Suvorov did not suffer a single defeat in his entire service life. Each battle under his leadership, and there were at least sixty, remained with Russia. The Russian army under the command of Alexander Vasilyevich smashed the Turks, the French, and the Poles. The military genius of Suvorov was revered not only by compatriots and allies, but also as an enemy. The whole world of the 18th century knew about Suvorov's victories over the many times superior enemy forces, about the heroic assault on Ishmael and the demon
In 1613, the Zemsko-Local Council took place, at which the Cathedral vow was adopted - to serve the Anointed of God, the kings from the Romanov family until the Second Coming of Christ. This oath has been broken more than once. The king is God's anointed, his murder becomes a curse for those who did it. Everyone knew about this, but not everyone was stopped. Very often, selfish aspirations or ideological convictions incompatible with the monarchy were the secret spring of regicide
The works of Arthur Conan Doyle, it seems, will never lose their popularity. And this means that directors will again and again turn their eyes to the work of a genius writer in the hope of filming another masterpiece about a talented detective. At the same time, how many film adaptations exist today, it is even difficult to imagine. Our review presents the actors who are rightfully called the best performers of the role of a talented detective, whose name has become a household name
The described facts about the life of the Russian commander Alexander Suvorov often boil down to his military victories and the undeniable genius of military craft. For nearly five decades of military activity, he did not suffer a single defeat. Russian troops under the command of Suvorov defeated the best armies in Europe. And if the description of these victories takes up many volumes, then not much has been said about the other Suvorov. Alexander Vasilyevich was known to his contemporaries as a creative person and a figure
What happened to pioneer Pavlik Morozov and his family, and why his name is synonymous with betrayal
The history of the USSR remembers the heroes of a very different plan - these are the leaders of production on the front pages of newspapers, and the sharp-tongued Komsomol girls, and the brave pioneers … But they all have one thing in common - they had to sacredly believe in socialism and not spare themselves in order to defend the values. In this situation, Pavlik Morozov was a heroic person, and nowadays he has become the personification of a traitor and "informer". So what prompted the boy to take a desperate step, and was his act carried by the social
They had one father for two. Only for Maria Mironova, he was dear, but for Maria Golubkina … Also dear, because at that time she did not even know that her biological dad was not Andrei Mironov at all. From childhood, the two daughters of the actor were compared with each other, closely following how one or the other is more successful, talented, closer to the father. And they themselves did not communicate at all for a long time. And to the journalists' questions about their relationship, both answered: "We are not sisters."
The fate of the children of famous actors does not always look like a fairy tale, as it might seem from the outside. Many do not withstand the oppression of the glory of their parents and do not even try to find themselves. Anton Tabakov always treated his father's merits almost philosophically. He blazed his own way in life and in art, trying not to dwell on grievances. It was often not easy for him, he made mistakes and acted incorrectly, and Oleg Tabakov did not at all strive to help his first-born
The book "A Thousand and One Nights" is included in the list of one hundred best books of all times and peoples. Plots from it have been repeatedly turned into plays, ballets, films, cartoons and performances. It seems that everyone knows at least a few tales from the book, not to mention the history of Scheherazade. However, in the twenty-first century, a scandal erupted around the collection. German orientalist Claudia Ott made a statement that "A Thousand and One Nights" as we know it is nothing more than a falsification
In the Western world, Soviet fashion models were nicknamed "the Kremlin's beautiful weapon", while in their homeland they led a very poor life. Models of the USSR received low wages, and all foreign exchange fees were handed over to the state. They went about most of the time under pain of dismissal, were controlled by the special services and condemned in society. But despite all the difficulties, they managed to preserve the natural beauty for many years, which is in demand in the most prestigious fashion houses in Europe
Each scientific discovery was considered at all times a real breakthrough for humanity. But, unfortunately, not all of them were useful to people at first. So at the beginning of the 20th century, radium was considered a "medicine" for all diseases and from all sides a useful substance. The medical, food, cosmetic and industrial sectors have speculated on the popularity of this miracle cure. However, as is often the case, over time, people felt the dire consequences of using this radioactive element
She was one of the most notable and significant figures of the Silver Age, but she herself did not engage in creativity. Princess Salome Andronikova had a completely different mission: to inspire poets and artists, to be the mistress of a literary salon, to shine in society. Fate gave Salome Andronikova many vivid meetings and unforgettable impressions, but the princess at the end of her life confessed: she made one irreparable mistake
From time immemorial, dresses and skirts were considered exclusively women's clothing, at least that's what most people still think. But as it turned out, in addition to Scotland, there is another number of countries where a skirt or dress is considered traditional men's clothing, which is mandatory worn by representatives of the strong half of humanity both in everyday life and to work, study, regardless of age. Therefore, like it or not, but be kind, put on a skirt
In the mid-1990s, this couple was considered the brightest, most romantic and outrageous. There was a lot of everything in their history: feelings, emotions, scandals and reconciliation. Johnny Depp and Kate Moss were impossible to fit into any framework. But everything in this story was sincere, real and at the same time demonstratively shocking. There was no betrayal and betrayal in their relationship, but what made Johnny Depp and Kate Moss break up and why did everyone mourn this separation for several more years?
In October, 46-year-old actor Yevgeny Stychkin became a father for the fifth time. In recent years, he was extremely reluctant to talk about his personal life, and this news for many of his fans came as a complete surprise. Few even knew that he was officially married for the second time, and that one of the most famous and sought-after modern actresses became his chosen one. They met on the set back in 2007 and have since signed a "love contract"
One of the couples that arouses admiration and with the light hand of "star blood thirsty" will grow overgrown with gossip and controversy, turning into another lovestory, was the union of the charming Italian Monica Bellucci and the charismatic Frenchman Vincent Cassel. Those who had serious passions constantly raging, so this French-Italian couple
Looking at old canvases and photographs, you sometimes wonder how expensively the residents of "unwashed Russia" are dressed. The incredibly beautiful jewelry and headdresses made of pearls, which took a huge amount of this precious material, were, of course, a family property and were passed down from generation to generation, but, nevertheless, it is strange that they were available not only to the nobility, but also to the wealthy peasants
In her face, the features of an Englishwoman and a Frenchwoman coexist at the same time - cold stiffness in her eyes and the lively charm of a smile. Christine Scott Thomas, moving towards her dream - to become an actress - faced serious obstacles at home, but Paris accepted a young English nanny with open arms - and now, after a few decades, she is recognized all over the world and recognized as one of the best European actresses
Many Russian readers are well aware of Kipling's works, but few know how Kipling himself lived. In general terms, it is clear to everyone that he visited all or almost all hot corners of the empire. However, a person is not limited to this, and there are many things in Kipling's life that influenced his work
Novels in letters can literally be called the most sensual literary genre. Today, a letter is not only a message on paper, but also messages in chats and e-mail, correspondence on social networks, bright paper cards signed in a telegraph style, and much, much more. Usually, in writing, people are much more frank than in conversation, and therefore the books written in letters seem to open the veil of secrecy over someone else's life, allowing you to look into the hidden corners of a person
For several decades in a row, the story of Frankenstein has not lost its popularity. Filmmakers often look to this image. But few people know that the fragile sophisticated 19-year-old girl Mary Shelley became the author of the story about the revived monster. Her work was written on a dispute and marked the beginning of a new literary genre - the Gothic novel. The writer "put" her thoughts and experiences into the hero's head, which arose as a result of her difficult life twists and turns
Economists and historians are still arguing about what it was - a pyramid, a speculative bubble or one of the first economic crises, and whether its consequences were so catastrophic for the country. Everyone agrees on only one thing, tulip mania so amazed society that it undermined its ethical foundations. The political climate in Holland has never been the same since then. This example, included in all textbooks, is remembered today when analyzing the prospects for cryptocurrencies
In the history of mankind, there have always been such women whose life path was littered with the victims of their charm. Because of such men in love, they went crazy and took their own lives, did incredible things … Strange and sometimes terrible things happened around them … So, the Ukrainian writer Maria Vilinskaya-Markovich, whom the world knows under the pseudonym Marko Vovchok, was named "Black widow" - because "too many lives have ruined the spell of her huge magnetic eyes
In September 2019, the British edition of The Guardian published a list of the 100 best books of the 21st century, which included the debut novels of writers, historical works and memoirs. The list of one hundred books looks very impressive, but today we propose to get acquainted with those works that are included in the top ten. In fact, each of these books deserves to go down in literary history
Family sagas are a slightly open door to other people's lives. Books written in this genre have always been popular, one has only to remember "The Thorn Birds" by Colin McCullough or "The Forsyte Saga" by John Galsworthy. Modern writers also do not ignore this topic, offering narratives about the passage of time within the same family. Sometimes it seems that the author seemed to have spied on the life of the reader himself and now invites him to look from the outside at himself
Writing a book that could captivate readers is not an easy task. It turns out that it is several times more difficult to create a children's book, it is not without reason that the great Stanislavsky expressed the opinion that works for children should be much better and more subtle than for adults. Modern celebrities are not afraid to be ridiculed in the eyes of their fans. They boldly take up the pen and write very good works for the younger generation
Cameo is a role played by someone recognizable, known to the public; he usually "plays" himself. Sometimes in an episode there will be a glimpse of someone without whom the film would not have been, since there would not have been a book that formed its basis. Whatever motives the writer is guided by when entering the set of a film based on his work, this experience becomes curious for viewers and readers, because it makes it possible to see firsthand the one who used to hide behind the lines of books
Readers are accustomed to looking in the biographies of brilliant classics only for good examples to follow. But great writers and poets are living people who are also characterized by passions and vices. In the history of Russian literature there are many stories of high-profile conflicts, quarrels and even duels, with the help of which geniuses defended their principles, ideology, fought against plagiarism, defended the honor of their women and simply expressed a creative protest to their “unpleasant” colleagues
In the 1990s, tens of millions of people believed in him. And they brought their money to JSC "MMM" in the hope of increasing their simple savings. When the financial pyramid burst, and a criminal case was opened against its creator, Sergei Mavrodi successfully hid from the investigation for more than five years, while being in Moscow. And even after his release from prison, he did not abandon his seemingly crazy ideas. The most amazing thing was that they continued to believe Sergey Mavrodi, no matter what
It is believed that ideal women do not exist. One lacks beauty, the other lacks secular manners. However, seekers of the Lady of Perfection need not despair. There was definitely one such woman. In the first half of the 20th century, she drove the whole of New York crazy. Babe Paley became one of the prototypes for the protagonist of the book and film "Breakfast at Tiffany's". She has been at the top of America's Best-Dressed Women fourteen times, and Marilyn Monroe admitted that compared to her, she “feels like a
August 28, old style (and September 9, new style) marks the 190th anniversary of the birth of the great Russian writer Leo Tolstoy. His creative heritage is truly priceless. However, there were also his very real heirs - children born in a marriage with Sofia Andreevna Bers. Of the 13 children of the writer, only 8 survived to adulthood. How did their fates develop and what trace did they leave in history and literature?
The favorite books of our childhood seem to be eternal - after all, more than one generation of children has grown up on them. However, children of the twenty-first century sometimes find it difficult to understand the logic of what is happening, even if they know that before there were no computers and televisions, and telephones had a tube on a spiral wire
Sweet lady or a harbinger of someone's imminent death? A pretty port town or a murder capital of the world? Actress Angela Lansbury, who played a supporting role for up to forty years, managed to create the image of the main character of one of the most successful detective series of the eighties
The Spaniards wanted to take revenge on the communists for the civil war, so they voluntarily left to fight against the USSR. Enemies from the Iberian Peninsula took part in several battles with the Red Army and helped the Germans in the blockade of Leningrad
The history of soap making is more than three thousand years old. It all started back in ancient Mesopotamia. Recently, archaeologists have discovered in Israel a whole soap factory, which is more than 1200 years old! According to experts, such an ancient structure of this kind was discovered by science for the first time. Before that, all found soap works belonged to much later periods of history. What did the experts learn from these excavations?
Historical chronicles indicate that ardent adherents of vegetarianism existed at all times. Among the representatives of this trend are philosophers - Pythagoras, Socrates and Seneca, inventors - Nikola Tesla and Thomas Edison, musicians - Jared Leto and Paul McCartney, athletes - Mike Tyson and Carl Lewis. And this list of famous vegetarians is endless. Some refused meat for ethical reasons, others - to cleanse the soul and body, and still others - because of the
The British were the ones who fought the shortest victorious war in human history. Their opponent - the Zanzibar Sultanate - managed to hold out for a little more than half an hour. This record is officially enshrined in the famous Guinness book, and the way events developed is of undoubted interest
The African continent has given birth to many bloody dictators. But among them, Idi Amin, the President of Uganda, stood out for the cruelty and inhuman reprisals. The despot, who loved to take the life of the unwanted with his own hand, himself appreciated comfort and wealth. How it turned out that such a person could become president, and why he did not suffer deserved retribution - in our material
The fact that the Holy Land was in the hands of the Saracens greatly worried the Catholic Church. In 1096, Pope Urban II called on all Christians to go on a crusade. Then he had no idea what a catastrophe this idea would turn out to be