It has been exactly three months since I came from Moghilev and we have been prisoners. It is difficult to be without news from dear Mama, but as to the others I am indifferent. Today the day was still hotter than hot — 25 degrees in the shade and in the sun 36 degrees. Again there was a strong smell of burning. See more
Two sources of heroism: "There is nothing to lose!" (Worker), "There is nothing to gain!" (Aristocrat).
There is no sugar at all. Beet fields were left unplanted. This scares me more than anything, for I can not live without sweetness.
After the disease Grand Duchesses shaved their heads because their hair fell out heavily; When they went out into the garden, they put on hats made to hide the lack of hair. At the moment when I was going to take pictures of them, they quickly took off their hats on the sign of Olga Nikolaevna. See more
It turns out that France has insisted on the abdication of the King of Greece. His second-born son, Alexander, has been declared king. The abdication didn’t happen without a struggle, but it was dignified as well. They departed in an English corvette and are now in Sweden, safe and sound. See more
Recently, the deposed king of Greece, George, was roughed up in Lugano.
If you want me to write music for Shakespeare, it is absolutely necessary that you come here. Strongly refuse to discuss anything in writing. I'm waiting for you.
The corridors of the Tauride Palace and the Cadet Corps resounded with rumours to the effect that certain military units, newly arrived from the front, were ready to place the city under martial law on the orders of the authorities, and to turn their weapons against the workers. See more
The task of culture is to develop and strengthen in the human being a social conscience, social morals, to work through and organize all the abilities, all the talents of the individual. Is this task achievable in times of widespread brutality? The Russian person, upon seeing his old way of life shaken by war and revolution to its very foundations, bellows with all his might for cultural aid. See more
I saw the most charming A. Mikh. Kollontai. She looked some ten years younger and had become very unassuming and sweet while retaining traces of her former elegance. Held in high affection in Bolshevik circles, she’s ubiquitously renowned as a first-class orator. She addressed me with great cordiality and asked me to send you a warm hello and to tell you that she’d like to see you here soonest. See more
As I was passing through Petrograd, I casually stopped at the palace of Kshesinskaya. It was interesting, after all, to visit the apartments of the Tsar’s former mistress, which are now occupied by the Bolsheviks, who send panic throughout all of Petrograd. And frankly, I wanted to meet Lenin himself. See more