The Mirror of History: A May 9th Reflection on World War II and Memory This essay is dedicated to the memory of Russian, Ukrainian, Polish, Azerbaijani, Hungarian and Yugoslav fighters who lost their lives in the war against Nazism . A Duty of Remembrance In writing this, I am fulfilling a duty of remembrance. If I can ignite a single spark of understanding in the minds of a younger generation about those who built the world I knew, I will consider my task complete. The political divides and ways of thinking of the last century are so different from today's that as I travel through my memories, I feel lost in the mists of the past. Only a few unforgettable frames emerge from the fog—frames that stand as silent witnesses to the history of our human family. Like old photographs, they watch you even when you do not see them, a silent and constant critique. A child’s body in the dirt calls out to me. A woman’s scream echoes as I tap these keys. Each bundle of sparks glistening on the ...

A portrait of L. N. Tolstoy... Who Was Leo Tolstoy? His Life, Works, and Enduring Legacy This short memorial, written on the anniversary of Leo Tolstoy's death, is an expanded version of a previous tribute. It is an effort to commemorate a truly great writer. A Literary Giant and Moral Compass Lev Nikolayevich Tolstoy (1828-1910) is a towering figure in Russian and world literature, renowned for masterpieces like War and Peace and Anna Karenina . His works conduct a deep analysis of the human condition, exploring universal themes of love, war, morality, and existence. Tolstoy not only left the world a profound literary legacy but also had a major impact on moral and social thought. Though born into wealth, he adopted a simple life, becoming a living example of his principles and a powerful voice for social justice and peace. His unique philosophy, blending Christian mysticism with anarchist elements , reflects his lifelong effort to balance individual freedom with social respons...