The Consul General of the French Republic in St Petersburg Pascal Maubert: “The way that we are now working with Russia is unique: we do not, perhaps, work this way even with our closest neighbour - Germany.”

…8

The aim of the club was to bring together people with influence in court circles or in the government, people with wealth or education. Here everyone was on informal terms and that helped to resolve many problems.

…14

Shvarts constantly “shuffled the cards” with inspired improvisations, infecting everyone with his zany brand of humour. When it was particularly successful, Slonimsky would say, “What are you surprised at? Just another outburst of genius, that’s all.”

…26

In order to attract public attention to the long-suffering church, a charity bazaar was held in the Taleon Club during the Easter celebrations.

…36

The useful properties of salads have been known since ancient times: Sumerian cuneiform tablets have been found describing their various therapeutic properties.

…38

The Russian frigate did not have enough officers and boats to accept the surrender, but the reckless Crown was shouting orders into his loud-hailer for the capture of yet another ship and, to the roll of drums and a deafening hurrah from the crew, plunged on in pursuit of his next prize.

…52

Devlet-Girei grasped the awful truth: the enemy army had cut off his line of retreat! He found himself trapped between the impregnable walls of Moscow and Prince Vorotynsky’s mobile fortress.

…64

The Leader: the greatness of lack of talent overcome

Valery Briusov once said: “Give me a thousand hands to write with. Tens of lives would not be enough for me to express all that is in my heart and mind!”

…78

Books for bibliophiles is a highly specific form of publishing activity. They are created by an artist, as a work of art, by hand from start to finish, from the binding to devising.

…96

Beach Glamour

The resorts, like balls, were a market for brides and calculating mamas did not miss the opportunity to present their daughters’ attractions to best advantage.

…104

Victory at the last gasp

The psychological and physical strains are so great that barely half of the teams reach the finish.

…112

A right royal dog’s life

Сrowned heads have since ancient times had a weakness for intelligent representatives of the species Canis familiaris and at times have given them truly royal rewards. Their four-legged friends have repaid them generously with affection and loyalty, and on occasion have shared their owner’s tragic lot.

…118