Among Peonies and Lilies. Flowers in Russian Poetry and Painting

Rarely can a book become a wonderful gift for both poetry lovers and admirers of beautiful flora! Nearly 400 works by hundreds of Russian poets are presented here not by eras or authors' names, but by the 'heroes' of these verses, the flowers. The chapters of the book are like astonishingly beautiful portraits of three dozen flowers — 'the silent music of the earth': from peonies, roses, and carnations to jasmine, lotus, and bird cherry. You will hear this music thanks to the mastery of poets from different eras — from Pushkin’s time to the early 20th century, through classicism and romanticism to modernism and avant-garde. The verses of great Russian poets and impressive canvases of domestic artists form a symbiosis, revealing new facets of the perception of nature and human emotions. Embark on a journey through the pages of cultural history, where each flower is a key to understanding the depth of the Russian soul.