Lily Brik, one of Russian and Soviet culture's most enigmatic women who was admired by many important men, was known for her wit and beauty and helped many talented people to become famous. Read more
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Monday, February 18, 2008
Russian Women
"In Russia there are many such women. They flourish and perish, and flourish again like flowers upon the roadway of existence. They are the strength behind the Russian nation, the spirit of its beauty".
"Strong women rear them: strong men look down upon them".
"During all their life they never forget God, they never sully themselves, they are never tempted by evil. Simply and tranquilly they live, their eyes full of light because their hearts are pure".
"Because of them Russia is strong. Because of them the sun shines freshly and the birds sing. Because of their holiness men are allowed to be secular".
"Russia herself, as has been observed, is a woman-nation. She is the Western-man's wife, the womb of nations. Because of her holiness and simplicity, we may be worldly wise and live in towns".
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Russian Women in the Great Patriotic War
"Did you not see her as she lay
Curled up beside me on the ground
When death was but an inch away?
"Have you forgotten, in the days
When things were blackest, she was there,
And when you came to save my life,
She helped you as you pulled me clear.
"And when - perhaps you did not see -
I raised my grateful glass to you
To celebrate my near escape -
Beside us there - I saw her too."
(Konstantin Simonov 1942)
Photo Collection Russian Women in the Great Patriotic War
Curled up beside me on the ground
When death was but an inch away?
"Have you forgotten, in the days
When things were blackest, she was there,
And when you came to save my life,
She helped you as you pulled me clear.
"And when - perhaps you did not see -
I raised my grateful glass to you
To celebrate my near escape -
Beside us there - I saw her too."
(Konstantin Simonov 1942)
Photo Collection Russian Women in the Great Patriotic War
Monday, February 4, 2008
Woman, eternal, Beckons us on...
All of the transient,
Is parable, only:
The insufficient,
Here, grows to reality:
The indescribable,
Here, is done:
Woman, eternal,
Beckons us on
(Goethe's "Faust" Part II)
First of all I would like to say that a woman doesn't come into the world as a Woman (Femina). Yes, physiologically she has all female's attributes but she becomes to be a Woman spiritually through her self-knowledge and self-education.
The Mother Nature is very pragmatical therefore the Feminity is a set of characteristic that attracts male representatives, i.e. the representatives who have enough strength to conquer and defend .
If the destination of men is to advance, concurring a new space, so the natural destination of women is to assimilate and keep the space. I don't talk about a hearth or something like that it would be so narrow view on Feminity. But the principle "to assimilate and keep" is very important for women. It is a man's role to "conquer" a woman ; the role of a woman is also active: she should create her special space that will be concurred by men ; that space we often call as a heart or soul. And when you, men feel so comfortable and cozy being right in the center of the space of your woman you will protect and defend it, you will afraid to loose it. And in that time you will love your woman more when she will be in her even old dressing gown and without makeup... just to be near... to be close... to be in your space in her heart.
We all know the popular wisdom "the Woman's power lies in her weakness"
But do we know the meaning of that wisdom?
You can find all answers about the true Feminity in world classical literature, art, music and philosophical works : the true Feminity that is glorified through the centuries. And you will see that one of the significant characteristics of Feminity is a Woman's pliability or compliance. Please do not confuse it with a submission or passivity.
A Woman's pliability or compliance is her humaneness, her kindness that is equal to her infinite tenderness, compassion (sympathy) and forgiveness. On the one hand we can say all that is her, Femina's soul weakness but on the other hand it is her great power at the same time
Also I would like you to read the two Shakespeare's sonnets about my words above
O, never say that I was false of heart,
Though absence seemed my flame to qualify.
As easy might I from my self depart
As from my soul which in thy breast doth lie.
That is my home of love; if I have ranged,
Like him that travels I return again,
Just to the time, not with the time exchanged,
So that myself bring water for my stain.
Never believe though in my nature reigned
All frailties that besiege all kinds of blood,
That it could so preposterously be stained
To leave for nothing all thy sum of good;
For nothing this wide universe I call
Save thou, my rose, in it thou art my all
***
Accuse me thus: that I have scanted all
Wherein I should your great deserts repay,
Forgot upon your dearest love to call,
Whereto all bonds do tie me day by day;
That I have frequent been with unknown minds
And given to time your own dear-purchased right
That I have hoisted sail to all the winds
Which should transport me farthest from your sight.
Book both my wilfulness and errors down
And on just proof surmise accumulate;
Bring me within the level of your frown,
But shoot not at me in your waken'd hate;
Since my appeal says I did strive to prove
The constancy and virtue of your love.
Read more: Welcome to Russian Women's Home
Is parable, only:
The insufficient,
Here, grows to reality:
The indescribable,
Here, is done:
Woman, eternal,
Beckons us on
(Goethe's "Faust" Part II)
First of all I would like to say that a woman doesn't come into the world as a Woman (Femina). Yes, physiologically she has all female's attributes but she becomes to be a Woman spiritually through her self-knowledge and self-education.
The Mother Nature is very pragmatical therefore the Feminity is a set of characteristic that attracts male representatives, i.e. the representatives who have enough strength to conquer and defend .
If the destination of men is to advance, concurring a new space, so the natural destination of women is to assimilate and keep the space. I don't talk about a hearth or something like that it would be so narrow view on Feminity. But the principle "to assimilate and keep" is very important for women. It is a man's role to "conquer" a woman ; the role of a woman is also active: she should create her special space that will be concurred by men ; that space we often call as a heart or soul. And when you, men feel so comfortable and cozy being right in the center of the space of your woman you will protect and defend it, you will afraid to loose it. And in that time you will love your woman more when she will be in her even old dressing gown and without makeup... just to be near... to be close... to be in your space in her heart.
We all know the popular wisdom "the Woman's power lies in her weakness"
But do we know the meaning of that wisdom?
You can find all answers about the true Feminity in world classical literature, art, music and philosophical works : the true Feminity that is glorified through the centuries. And you will see that one of the significant characteristics of Feminity is a Woman's pliability or compliance. Please do not confuse it with a submission or passivity.
A Woman's pliability or compliance is her humaneness, her kindness that is equal to her infinite tenderness, compassion (sympathy) and forgiveness. On the one hand we can say all that is her, Femina's soul weakness but on the other hand it is her great power at the same time
Also I would like you to read the two Shakespeare's sonnets about my words above
O, never say that I was false of heart,
Though absence seemed my flame to qualify.
As easy might I from my self depart
As from my soul which in thy breast doth lie.
That is my home of love; if I have ranged,
Like him that travels I return again,
Just to the time, not with the time exchanged,
So that myself bring water for my stain.
Never believe though in my nature reigned
All frailties that besiege all kinds of blood,
That it could so preposterously be stained
To leave for nothing all thy sum of good;
For nothing this wide universe I call
Save thou, my rose, in it thou art my all
***
Accuse me thus: that I have scanted all
Wherein I should your great deserts repay,
Forgot upon your dearest love to call,
Whereto all bonds do tie me day by day;
That I have frequent been with unknown minds
And given to time your own dear-purchased right
That I have hoisted sail to all the winds
Which should transport me farthest from your sight.
Book both my wilfulness and errors down
And on just proof surmise accumulate;
Bring me within the level of your frown,
But shoot not at me in your waken'd hate;
Since my appeal says I did strive to prove
The constancy and virtue of your love.
Read more: Welcome to Russian Women's Home
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