Russia

Vera Karalli: Russian Ballet Dancer, Murderer and Royal Mistress

Vera Karalli: Russian Ballet Dancer, Murderer and Royal Mistress

My blog seems to have taken a decidedly Russian turn this week, what with clearing up the rumours about Rasputin and the last Tzar’s family photos! I’m continuing the trend today with the beautiful Vera Karalli, who was a successful ballerina at the Bolshoi in the 1910s as well as being a popular Russian silent(…)

The Family Photo Album of Tzar Nicholas II of Russia

The Family Photo Album of Tzar Nicholas II of Russia

It was fascinating to come across these family photos which make Tzar Nicholas II of Russia look like just a normal family, despite the Tzar constantly wearing a stiff impressive uniform and military hat regardless of whether he’s on a cruise, or playing tennis!  On the subject of outfits, his daughters Anastasia, Tatiana, Olga and(…)

The Short Life of Russia’s First Silent Movie Star: Vera Kholodnaya

The Short Life of Russia’s First Silent Movie Star: Vera Kholodnaya

You may not have heard of Vera Kholodnaya, but she was Russia’s first major silent movie star. The majority of her movies were destroyed by the Soviet regime and she died under suspicious circumstances aged just 25 but she managed to in a lot of living in her short life! Born in 1893 in Poltava,(…)