An exhibition of models from "Star Wars" has opened at EC1

 Models of the "Millennium Falcon", space stations, as well as vehicles and robots from the iconic "Star Wars" can be viewed from Saturday at the EC1 Science and Technology Center in Łódź. The opening of the exhibition was accompanied by a curatorial tour with the authors of the models from the Yavin group.

"+ Star Wars + this is magic - the magic of cinema and the whole universe. Everything is designed in such a way that it works on the imagination. We have had several dozen exhibitions in the country and abroad, and we started building models when there was no internet yet. We only had at our disposal. photos and 3D images. We drew projects ourselves, and for example, the model of the famous + Millennium Falcon + was created for four years "- emphasized Adam Kulesza, who together with Marek Kulesza and Bernard Szukiel forms the Yavin group.

On Saturday, the "Star Stories" exhibition at the EC1 Science and Technology Center attracted fans of the most famous series of science-fiction films directed by George Lucas. Among the models presented, you can see characters, vehicles, spaceships, and robots from this cult production.

They are displayed in the space of permanent exhibitions of CNiT EC1. According to Adam Kulesza, the industrial character of the interior perfectly harmonizes with the style of the presented works.

"The models have been placed in such a way as to motivate visitors to visit many parts of the permanent exhibition. We have also planned a simple game, the tasks of which are arranged in an interesting plot. Learning by playing in the universe of + Star Stories + is, in our opinion, a great idea for a winter break," noted Michał Kędzierski from the Customer Experience Department of CNiT EC1.

In addition to the game and curatorial tour with the authors of the models, on February 19 at At 4.30 pm, a meeting with Jakub Turkiewicz, the author of the book "War of the stars. A story about the genesis of the Polish fandom of Star Wars", is planned. You will be able to talk with him about how "Star Wars" captured the imagination of the citizens of the People's Republic of Poland, what gadgets were within the reach of Polish fans in the 1980s and why the horribly ugly figures from those years cost a small fortune today.

Weekend screenings at the CNiT EC1 Spherical Cinema have also been adapted to the space theme - the repertoire will include the films "Astronaut", "We are aliens" and "Cosmic Passport".

The death rate from the plague was not as great as was believed

 Although the plague affected the population of many parts of Europe - there were areas where the impact was negligible or the plague did not occur at all - scientists, e.g. from Poland, as reported in "Nature Ecology and Evolution". Such conclusions were reached, among others, thanks to the research ... of fossil spores and pollen.

The Black Death that plagued Europe, West Asia, and North Africa between 1347 and 1352 is considered the most terrible pandemic in history. It was the first wave of the so-called second plague pandemic. Historians have so far estimated that up to half of Europe's inhabitants died during it, and on this basis, they attributed the Black Death to the transformation of religious and political structures, and even the acceleration of major cultural and economic changes, such as the advent of the Renaissance or the rise of capitalism. Meanwhile, although research on ancient DNA has allowed identifying the bacterium Yersinia pestis as a factor causing black death, and even trace its evolution over the millennia, data on the demographic effects of the plague are still little researched - emphasized in the press release sent to PAP on Thursday by the participating participants in research universities: Uniwersytet named Adam Mickiewicz in Poznań and the University of Białystok.

New research proves, however, that the mortality caused by the plague in Europe in the mid-fourteenth century was not as common and as high as previously thought, scientists write in the pages of "Nature Ecology and Evolution" (https://www.nature.com / articles / s41559-021-01652-4).

The new publication is the result of the work of an international team of researchers consisting of scientists from many European centers, including Poland: the University of Białystok, the University of Adam Mickiewicz in Poznań, the Institute of Botany W. Szafer of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Krakow, the Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization Stanisław Leszczycki PAS, the Institute of Geological Sciences of the Polish Academy of Sciences, the University of Gdańsk, the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń and the Jagiellonian University in Kraków.

Scientists analyzed pollen samples from the sediments of 261 lakes and wetlands in 19 modern European countries. This allowed them to determine how landscapes and agricultural activity changed between 1250 and 1450, roughly 100 years before and 100 years after the pandemic. Their analysis confirms the damage that some regions of Europe have suffered. It also shows that the Black Death did not affect all regions equally, the authors of the study report.

"Palynology, i.e. the study of fungal spores and plant pollen, is a good tool for discovering the demographic effects of the Black Death. This is because the human influence on the landscape in pre-industrial times, primarily agriculture and forestry-based on building needs, was largely dependent on on the availability of employees "- emphasizes dr hab. Adam Izdebski, head of the Palaeo-Science and History group at the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History, quoted in a press release sent to PAP.

Using a new approach called Big Data Palaeoecology (BDP), researchers analyzed 1,634 pollen samples from locations across Europe to see which plants were growing in an area and to determine if agricultural activities the pandemic in a given place was slowed down, whether its intensity decreased or increased, which must have been associated with fluctuations in the number of the population. They also checked whether there were any signs of revival of wild vegetation, which could have meant a reduction in human pressure on the landscape.

Research from an international team shows that mortality from the epidemic varied widely. Some areas suffered damage on an unprecedented scale, while others suffered much more gently. The sharp decline in agricultural production in Scandinavia, France, southwest Germany, Greece and central Italy confirms the high mortality rate, as evidenced by medieval historical and archaeological sources. Meanwhile, many regions, including most of Central and Eastern Europe and parts of Western Europe, including Ireland and the Iberian Peninsula, show evidence of continuity or uninterrupted growth in agriculture.

"The large variation in mortality rates, which we have confirmed with pollen data and the BDP method, requires clarification in further studies that will take into account local cultural, environmental, economic, and social contexts. A number of local circumstances may have influenced plague bacterial incidence, morbidity, and mortality" - says dr hab. Piotr Guzowski from the University of Białystok.

Scientists emphasize the uniqueness of this research: most of the historical sources that have so far been used in the study of the Black Death came from urban areas that were characterized by a higher culture of writing and bureaucracy, but also by denser population and poor sanitation. Meanwhile, by the mid-fourteenth century, more than three-quarters of the population of all regions in Europe was rural. Current research shows that in order to reliably determine the scale of human losses in a given region, data from local sources should be used - not only historical but also using nature archives and BDP as a method of reconstructing changes in the landscape.

The variations in Black Death mortality across Europe show that the plague was a dynamic disease, with cultural, ecological, economic, and climatic factors influencing its spread and conditioning its impact on societies. The authors of the study hope that in the future, paleoecological data will be used even more extensively to understand how different local variables have influenced and shaped past - and current pandemics.

In Catalonia pardoned "witches"

 On social media in Spain, comments continue about the pardoning of women sentenced to death by the regional parliament of Catalonia for witchcraft from the 15th to 18th centuries by the regional parliament of Catalonia.

It is estimated that between 700 and 1,000 women died during the 'witch hunt' in Catalonia at that time.

Many Twitter users criticize the regional government for addressing a distant history rather than current problems such as youth unemployment and child poverty.

The resolution on pardoning those convicted of witchcraft under the slogan "They were not witches, they were women" was presented by the Republican Left of Catalonia (ERC), Together for Catalonia (JuntsxCat) and the People's Unity Candidate (CUP). The decision follows a campaign in the historic magazine "Sapiens" related to the results of research on the widespread "witch hunt" in Catalonia at the time.

The proposal for a symbolic pardon of witches was accepted last Wednesday by all parliamentary groups with the exception of the right-wing PP and Vox. Liberal Ciudadanos abstained. The socialist PSC voted in favor of the resolution, although noting that it did not consider it a priority.

The text calls on the local Catalan authorities to name streets and squares in municipalities with the names of women convicted of witchcraft as part of historical reparations.

History professor Pau Castell of the University of Barcelona pointed out that at the time, admissions by women, often forced by torture, were sufficient to sentence them to death in areas under the absolute rule of feudal lords. Additionally, in Catalonia, found guilty of witchcraft were hung rather than burned at the stake to save on firewood.

"They used to call us witches, now they called us feminazis," commented Republican Left of Catalonia (ERC) MEP Jenn Diaz.

According to the right-wing populist Vox, "families need compensation whose children do not have Spanish in Catalan schools". According to the center-right People's Party (PP), the proposal should be discussed in the parliamentary committee on equality, and not presented to the plenary.

Most of the comments on social media refer to the contemporary situation in Catalonia, recognizing the current social and economic problems as a priority for the regional government.

Top 10 Serial Killer Movies.

 Serial killers appear more and more in horror movies. The greatest degenerates and psychopaths are the heroes of many films that arouse disgust and fear in viewers. Both in Poland and in the world there is a group of loyal audiences of this type of film. People are interested in biographies of criminals, stories, and adaptations based on facts, as well as horror films about famous criminals. Here is a subjective list of TOP 10 serial killer movies that are especially memorable.

1. "Psycho" - Alfred Hitchcock (1960)

This is one of the most characteristic films of Alfred Hitchcock, the master of horror films. "Psychosis" was a breakthrough work of the famous director and a film that still evokes mixed feelings in viewers. It was this work that started a new sub-genre of horror, namely slasher - horror films about killers who pursue their victims and eliminate them one by one. Both in Poland and in the world, slashers were real hits. Fashion for this type of horror sub-genre evolved at the turn of the '70s and '80s of the twentieth century. What is "Psycho" about? About a thief who went on a journey to her lover with a stolen fortune. On the way, she stopped at the roadside motel where she was murdered. The greatest degenerates and criminals who later appeared in the cinema were modeled on the murderers from "Psycho". The role of the dark Norman Bates was played by the gifted Anthony Perkins. The entire film is interwoven not only with unexpected twists but also piercing music and masterful acting. The murder scene in the shower has become historic, and it still scares viewers today.

2. "Creep" - Patrick Brice (2014)

It is an amazing psychological horror and it is Patrick Brice's directorial debut. The film tells the story of Aaron who writes back to a certain Josef (allegedly dying) for a job advertisement. Josef's last dream is to film a day in the life of his… unborn son. Over time, the relationship between Aaron and Josef becomes very dangerous - each new frame causes more and more anxiety. Ultimately Josef turns out to be the killer. However, I will not spoil and just add that the twist of the movie is really surprising. Watching Brice's work may feel uncomfortable, to say the least. This is a film about a murderer that evokes great emotions. Stories about killers told in this way are very rare on-screen today. That is why it is worth spending one evening and watching this film, shot using the found footage technique (a film stylized as an amateur recording and shown from the perspective of a camera).

3. Hangman Johnny Martin (2017)

Hangman is a moving crime fiction from the thriller genre, in which Al Pacino himself played the main role. The plot is about a detective who belongs to a homicide department and creates psychological profiles of the murderers. After his wife's death, he deals with a new serial killing case. How does the elusive criminal kill more people in the film? He hangs his victims and, after committing a crime, leaves clues to criminals that are encrypted. The serial killer uses the theme of the famous word-guessing game, the well-known "hangman", in his killings. When listing films about serial killers, it is simply impossible not to mention the work "Handman".

4. "A Clockwork Orange" - Stanley Kubrick (1971)

Many fans of strong cinema admit that this is the most successful work of Stanley Kubrick. The plot is about the life of a gang leader, Alex DeLarge, who spreads terror throughout the city. He is in love with the works of Ludwig van Beethoven, but at the same time has a love of hurting people. During one of the robberies, he is captured and imprisoned. Over time, after a successful experiment to eliminate evil in Alex, he is released home. It's hard to pass by this item indifferently. Kubrick touches not only the villain's psyche in the film but also justice, which he defends at all costs. It turns out that even the worst criminals can experience evil beyond what they used to do. To find out about it, it is worth refreshing "A Clockwork Orange" and checking how much Kubrick's work is still up-to-date.

5. "Zodiac" - David Fincher (2007)

David Fincher's film is about the investigation of a serial killer who killed people in San Francisco. This is an excellent detective story that draws you from the first shot. The investigators' obsession with the title Zodiac is truly poignant. The next pieces of the puzzle, which are revealed with each subsequent minute, make an impression even on veterans of strong cinema. Adaptations based on real events are very popular. These are hits among fans of horror movies. One of such films is "Zodiac" - the murderer with this pseudonym really killed people at the turn of the '60s and '70s in America. The killer sent the police and newspapers letters and ciphers about the murders he had committed. Despite many signs, he has not been captured to this day and his case is unsolved. The director spent almost a year and a half studying the crimes of the Zodiac and police archives before he started cinematography.

6. "Halloween" - John Carpenter (1978)

Carpenter's work is about Michael Myers - a six-year-old boy who turns out to be a murderer. After a stay in a psychiatric hospital to which he is sent and where he spends many years, he returns to his homeland. Myers is perhaps one of the most iconic characters when it comes to serial killers. To this day, sequels are made, as well as reboots and spin-offs about the "adventures" of Michael Myers. Myers in every part of "Halloween" is terrifying. It's hard to run away from him, let alone negotiate with him or stop the killer from further murders. It's a typical slasher that has become one of John Carpenter's most recognizable films. Fans of the horror classics know "Halloween" literally inside out.

7. "The Silence of the Lambs" - Jonathan Demme (1991)

This is a famous psychological thriller, in which Anthony Hopkins played his role in the role of Professor Hannibal Lecter. The top 10 films about murderers simply could not miss "The Silence of the Lambs", in which the portrait of a psychopath is one of the best in the history of cinema. The film was showered with awards and continues to inspire many young directors to this day. Why is the story so interesting? Well, it tells about an FBI agent who is looking for a serial killer with the help of a psychiatrist, and also ... a cannibal who is serving his sentence. Thanks to the character of Hannibal Lecter played by Anthony Hopkins, you can really learn a lot about what is in the mind of a serial killer. "The Silence of the Lambs" is a must-see for every fan of strong cinema.

8. "Perfume: The Story of a Murderer" - Tom Tykwer (2006)

The action of the film takes place in 18th-century France, where a certain Jan-Baptiste, endowed with an absolute sense of smell, lives. His greatest dream is to create a perfect fragrance that will be long-lasting and unique. To get it, he kills the most beautiful woman he can meet. Thanks to the film, you can learn about what a terrifying ritual killing for a macabre goal can become. To fulfill sick fantasies, killers are ready to do the worst of deeds. This is what you can see in "Pachnidle" - the path of an obsessive psychopath whose innocent dream has turned into a deadly obsession.

9. "Misery" - Rob Reiner (1990)

An excellent thriller based on Stephen King's novel with the exact same title. The plot concerns the meeting of Paul Sheldon with Annie Wilkes - but it was not a typical meeting of two people. Paul, a novelist, has a car accident and Annie (his fan) comes to his aid. A woman drags Paul to her house - it is the middle of winter, so the man would have nowhere to go through huge snowdrifts. Meanwhile, Wilkes turns out to be obsessed with the novelist. An apparently helpful and nice woman suddenly turns into a mentally ill killer who has terrible intentions towards Paul.

10. "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" - Tobe Hooper (1974)

This is an iconic horror movie in which gore and slasher elements are mixed. The film is considered to be one of the best ever made in the history of horror movies. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre tells the story of a group of teenagers being chased by Letherface, a character wearing a mask made of human skin. The brutality and bloodshed in the film are certainly not something that will delight fans of adventure movies. What's the most terrifying thing in the history of The Texas Massacre? Well, the hero in the form of a serial killer was inspired by ... a real character. Leatherface's model was the murderer and cannibal Ed Gein. He was a serial killer, also known as the Plainfield Butcher. It's worth watching the movie, as well as looking at the story of Ed Gein. It's really interesting and makes it hard to squint after reading it.

Bibliography:

• Anita Has-Tokarz: Horror in Contemporary Literature and Film, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University Publishing House, Lublin 2011
• Stephen J. Giannangelo, Jarosław Groth (trans.): Psychopathology of Serial Murder, If P to Q Publishing House, Poznań 2007
• Bartłomiej Paszylk: Lexicon of horror film, Instytut Wydawniczy Latarnik, Warsaw 2006

Marilyn Monroe's romance with Kennedy.

 Marilyn Monroe's Kennedy romance was one of the most famous in the 1960s. Monroe romanced with President John F. Kennedy and later with his brother Robert. The actress was known to lead a scandalous life, and her numerous romances did not go unnoticed. Did men contribute to the death of the sex bomb? Or maybe it was Marilyn's obsession with drug punctures that took her life? Check if Marilyn Monroe's romance with the Kennedy brothers could have contributed to the star's death.

Marilyn Monroe's biography was very turbulent. The actress was famous for her scandalous life, as well as numerous romances. Monroe was often in love with another man, even though she had a husband. It is worth adding at this point that Monroe had three husbands in her life - James Dougherty, Joe di Maggio, and Arthur Miller. But no husband of Marilyn could show her what true love is. Or maybe the actress was so lost that she was always looking for love in the arms of another man? A new lover appeared every now and then in Marilyn's life. Between each romance, alcohol and drugs played equally important episodes in the life of the star. All this was intertwined with the mental problems of Marilyn Monroe, who struggled with, among others, stage fright, neurosis, insomnia, and low self-esteem. Obsession with men, drugs, and her own appearance, as well as numerous mental problems of the star made Monroe want to try to take her own life. When she was disappointed in something or became deeply depressed, she tried to commit suicide. The actress was under such enormous stress that she had to be treated by a psychiatrist. Definitely, the star didn't have a simple life. Neither of Marilyn's husbands had it easy with her.

Each biography of Marilyn Monroe touches on the theme of the actress's death. Monroe died on August 5, 1962, no one doubts that. However, there are many speculations about the details of the circumstances of the star's death. Investigators show that Monroe was found dead by the star's housekeeper, Eunice Murray. Did Marilyn Monroe overdose on sleeping pills, as you read on the Internet? After all, the actress tried many times to end her life, unable to cope with her own mental problems. Or maybe Marilyn's death was caused by men for whom the star in love was crazy? Let's try to take a closer look at it.

It is widely known that Marilyn had an affair with John F. Kennedy - the former president of the United States. There were many legends about the actress's romance with the president. The familiarity of the sex bomb with John F. Kennedy aroused great emotions among people. In the 1960s, there was quiet talk of Marilyn Monroe's intimate relationship with the president. In May 1962, however, the whispering stopped, and loud talks began about the couple's romance. On President Monroe's 45th birthday, she sang a sexy version of "Happy Birthday" for him, clearly revealing her closer relationship with President Kennedy. The lovers were first seen together in 1957 at a ball at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel (New York). However, Monroe was at the party with her then-husband (Arthur Miller), and Kennedy with his wife Jackie. Back then, there was no indication of a lovers' romance.

Donald Spoto, one of the authors of many of Monroe's biographies, admitted that John F. Kennedy and Marilyn Monroe certainly maintained an intimate relationship. However, there was no indication that their relationship would ever be a long-term one. Spoto in his biography about Monroe wrote that the star may have had closer contact with John on March 24, 1962, when they were together at a party at Bing Crosby's house (Palm Beach). A close friend of the star (Ralph Roberts), however, emphasized to the biographer that it was the only night that John F. Kennedy was close to Monroe. Is it true? Or is there something more behind this mysterious information?

In the biography of Monroe by J. Randy Taraborrelli ("The Secret Life of Marilyn Monroe"), John F. Kennedy has been delighted with Monroe from the moment he saw her. The author of this biography also reports that on March 24, 1962, the couple did meet at Crosby's villa - reportedly the president called the actress there by phone. He also assured her on the phone that he would appear at the party without his wife Jackie. Monroe had a great time in the company of the president, and John F. Kennedy did not leave the beautiful actress behind.

Marilyn Monroe fell in love with the president and dreamed of becoming the first lady. Apparently, she called the White House every day to hear her beloved's voice. However, this one day told Marilyn that she was unfit for the first lady of the United States. In this way, he definitely broke their short-term relationship. For the blonde in love, it was a blow to the heart. Soon after, Monroe tried to kill herself because she couldn't imagine life without John. She also started spreading out about her intimate relationship with the president. Kennedy's brother-in-law (Peter Lawdord) recalled that Marilyn called him the day before her death asking him to say goodbye to the president. On August 5, 1962, Monroe was found dead in her own bed.

Marilyn Monroe has never hidden the fact that she was taking an enema for hygiene reasons. She also wanted an impeccable figure, which made the enema a stranger in her life. Some people believe that the cause of Monroe's death was that Monroe had taken a dissolved pentobarbital enema. Numerous biographies of the actress indicate that the enema was given by the star housekeeper - Eunice Murray. When the police arrived at the apartment, Marilyn Monroe reportedly quickly pushed back the sheets as if she wanted to destroy the evidence. Detectives pointed to the guilt of either the housekeeper or the actress's psychiatric doctor - Dr. Greenson. Why was the psychiatrist Monroe also blamed? Some say that the doctor was madly in love with the actress and wanted to have her only for himself. So was it the private doctor Monroe who asked the housekeeper to administer a lethal enema? Or maybe Dr. Greenson personally injected the patient with poison into the heart of an actress who did not love him? It is said that this is what one of the paramedics who came to the house of the late Monroe saw. The investigation did not reveal that Dr. Greenson personally killed the Hollywood star. It is completely unknown who to believe.

Anthony Summer, in his biography about Monroe ("The Goddess. The Secrets of Marilyn Monroe's Life and Death"), mentions Monroe's affair not only with John but also with Robert Kennedy - his younger brother. The actress began an affair with Robert when she realized that John F. Kennedy did not love her. This was how she wanted to console herself. Robert F. Kennedy, however, also did not intend to give up his life partner for her. The actress was desperate. She was falling into deeper and deeper depression. No Kennedy wanted her forever.

On the day of Monroe's death, Robert F. Kennedy visited her, as confirmed by Eunice Murray and Peter Lawford's wife. Marilyn was spreading louder and louder about her affair with Robert, which he could not afford. Robert F. Kennedy was the US Attorney General. Before the information about Monroe's death was released to the media, Robert wanted to move quickly to Los Angeles. Was it a coincidence? What could Robert F. Kennedy have done to preserve his and John's good reputation? Could the president's younger brother kill a Hollywood star? After all, he didn't want Marilyn to talk about their relationship in public.

There are rumors that Robert F. Kennedy hired a paid doctor-assassin to get rid of Monroe. Was that killer Dr. Greenson? During the autopsy, no sting marks were found on the actress's body. It is also known that Dr. Greenson usually instructed patients to perform simpler procedures on their own - incl. an enema or injection. So he was not at the beck and call of Marilyn, though he consulted her frequently by telephone. So what was it really like? Did Monroe actually accidentally overdose on drugs and die in the ambulance on the way to the hospital? Or maybe Dr. Greenson "helped" her? Greenson has denied all speculation about his involvement in Marilyn Monroe's death. Or was it otherwise?

On the day of her death, Marilyn Monroe had an argument with Robert F. Kennedy. Private detective Fred Otash reportedly installed a wiretap in the actress's house, which can be read in his private diary. According to Fred Otash's records, there was a scuffle in the star's apartment - Robert probably strangled the actress with a pillow, and then quickly left. The official cause of death, however, was an overdose of sleeping pills by the star. Was it Robert F. Kennedy who killed Monroe? Was this the way he wanted to protect his and his brother's good name? Or maybe the Hollywood star could not cope with life and committed suicide? Was Marilyn Monroe's romance with Kennedy the cause of the actress's death? The cause of Marilyn Monroe's death will ignite the imaginations of people all over the world forever. Despite numerous publications, it is still unknown why the actress died.

Bibliography:

• Churchwell Sarah: Faces of Marilyn Monroe, Marginesy Publishing House, Warsaw 2018
• Donald Spoto: Marilyn Monroe. Biography, Prima Publishing House, New York 2001
• Alfonso Signorini: Marilyn. Live and die of love, Świat Książki Publishing House, Warsaw 2004
• Anthony Summers: Goddess. Mysteries of life and death Marilyn Monroe, Iskry Publishing House, Warsaw 1993

Irma Grese - Beautiful Beast, SS supervisor from Auschwitz-Birkenau

 Irma Grese is a woman who was really loud in 1943. The Beautiful Beast, as she was called, was the supervisor at the Auschwitz-Birkenau camp. She was famous for her sadistic tendencies which led to the death of many thousands of people. It was because of Irma Grese that the inmates of the concentration camp often died in torment. Why is the overseer considered the most brutal woman of the Third Reich? Check out the story of the Beautiful Beast, or the cruel Irma Grese.

Irma was born on October 7, 1923, in the German city of Wrechen (Mecklenburg). She had four siblings and grew up in a poor family in the countryside. Friends described her as being very fearful and not very intelligent, which meant that the girl was constantly harassed at school. Not only did her peers at school laugh at her, but also the situation at Irma's house left a lot to be desired. When the girl turned 12, her mother committed suicide - she suspected that her husband was cheating on her and was unable to cope with this fact. For a long time, Irma could not come to terms with the death of her beloved mother, who was her greatest support. However, she suffered not only because of the departure of the closest person - she was tormented by her peers all the time. Irma left school at the age of 14. She decided to start a completely new card, away from people laughing at her and away from places that reminded her of her mother.

Grese was 16 when she went to Fürstenberg, a district of the city of Eisenhüttenstadt in eastern Germany on the Oder. The teenager found a job there is a dairy and later in a grocery store. Eventually, she landed in Hohenlychen, where she started working as a nurse for SS soldiers. Irma liked the job. She felt appreciated when the soldiers thanked her for helping to dress their wounds. The young girl wanted the best possible training in a new field. She took the nurse exam several times. Despite many attempts, she failed to pass it. Disappointed and furious with the failure, Irma gave up her dream of being a nurse. Anger grew within her at the fact that she had failed her exams. Irma, however, did not intend to return to her hometown. There she would be even more depressed and angry. So the girl decided to do something else. She started looking for a job that would allow her to fulfill herself as a human being. This is how she ended up in ... Auschwitz.

Irma Grese found out about the need for new members of the SS ranks. The young girl decided that she had nothing to lose, especially since she liked the Nazi ideology. Irma has been fascinated by her since she was 14 years old. At 19, she decided to enroll in special training to become a concentration camp supervisor. The girl saw an opportunity for herself in this profession. She completed her training and apprenticeship at the Nazi camp in Ravensbrück. Then she was delegated to Auschwitz-Birkenau - a complex of German Nazi concentration and extermination camps, operating in the years 1940–1945 in Oświęcim.

In 1943, Irma started working in Auschwitz. It was there that she was baptized as the "Beautiful Beast". The overseer was a specific character. When she walked around a concentration camp, she always left the scent of sharp perfumes behind her. Each morning, she carefully prepared for the commencement of the celebration, making all sorts of improvements and changes to her ironed, custom-made uniform. Irma looked extraordinary against the background of the desperate events in Auschwitz, but her beauty did not go hand in hand with kindness. Grese was a real tyrant to the prisoners - that's why she was given this and no other pseudonym. The young woman quickly won the respect and recognition of senior members of the SS ranks. So at the end of 1943, she became the senior supervisor of the concentration camp in Auschwitz.

Irma, with her big blue eyes, fashionable hairstyle, and shapely figure, was liked by both men and women. Under all this beautiful setting, however, she hid her dark face. Grese was famous for her sadistic tendencies and her enormous, unrestrained sex drive. The woman often got into affairs with men (including Josef Mengele), but also women (for example with the supervisor Maria Mandel). Irma was also cruel to the prisoners. She had no mercy for them - kicking, hitting, and intimidating anyone she didn't like. She usually tortured people with her favorite tool, which she always had at hand, namely a whip. It was made of steel and cellophane lined with pearls. Grese often walked around the camp in the company of a dog (German Shepherd) with which she pissed the prisoners. The woman often accompanied Dr. Mengele in selections. Why was Irma acting this way? Well, being brutal with the prisoners was a condition that Irma had to fulfill in order to be promoted to a higher position.

Irma Grese was fascinated by the sight of the furred prisoners. Most often, she abused them by hitting them with a whip, of course, accompanied by a faithful dog. The supervisor forced the women to practice cruelly, for example, she made them hold very heavy stones over their heads. Irma waited until the stone fell on the prisoner exhausted by exercise. A woman often hit women in the breast with her whip - bacteria quickly entered the wounded areas and an infection developed, which led to the death of the victim. The sadistic overseer most often chose weak and sick people as her victims. Everyone trembled with fear as Grese passed by. Irma had no sympathy for anyone - she enjoyed watching people die.

The suffering of the prisoners gave Irma real pleasure. The death of the victims boosted the woman's already strong sex drive, which almost immediately found an outlet for it. Grese knew that it was impossible to have sex with the prisoners. It was a top-down prohibition that she had to abide by. The supervisor, however, seemed completely unconcerned. She made women have sex. She also often made younger prisoners watch what she was doing with her victims. Irma chose all the people she sexually abused from those sentenced to death. Thanks to this, she hoped that no one would find out about her actions. In the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp, prisoners found her the most terrifying supervisor. Historians estimate that Grese murdered up to 30 people every day.

Irma Grese escaped from Auschwitz-Birkenau from the Red Army in January 1945. Together with other Nazis, she was arrested in Ravensbrück, from where they were all taken to Lunenburg, where they were held accountable for all their crimes. Irma pleaded guilty to the commission of all alleged acts. The journalists who attended the trial had a hard time believing that such a beautiful woman had committed such cruel murders. On November 17, 1945, Grese heard the sentence - she was sentenced to death.

The sentence on 22-year-old Irma was carried out on December 13, 1945. The woman was executed by the English executioner Albert Pierrepoint - the Chief Executioner of the United Kingdom. While standing on the trapdoor and waiting to be hanged, Irma managed to whisper to the executioner: "Hurry up!" The body of the former supervisor of the concentration camp was buried in the prison cemetery, but a few years later it was transferred to the town of Hameln. Ultimately, the grave was removed because it was too often visited by neo-Nazis. How many people did the Beautiful Beast kill? It is known that she supervised 31 barracks in which about 30,000 women were kept. It is impossible to say how many victims were Irma Grese murdered in total. However, she was responsible for the deaths of most of the prisoners she supervised.

Bibliography:

• Brown Daniel Patrick: A beautiful beast. The crimes of the SS-Aufseherin by Irma Grese, Replika Publishing House, Poznań 2017
• Lucas Hugo Pavetto: Irma Grese. Hiena z Auschwitz, Saga Egmont Publishing House, Warsaw 2020

The Nephilim - Could Ancient Giants Really Exist?

 Huge humanoid creatures, which often have additional superhuman or supernatural abilities, appear in all mythologies of the world. Are these stories just a product of human imagination? Or maybe our ancestors had something more in mind? Is it possible to separate mythology from reality?

The term hanefelim ("ha" is a demonstrative pronoun in Hebrew) appears for the first time in the official Pentateuch in the Book of Genesis. (cf. Hebrew-Polish Pentateuch, 2003: Rdz 6, 1-4) Then, in the Book of Numbers and Deuteronomy. However, the surprisingly detailed history of the so-called The Watchers and the Nefilim are found in the apocryphal book of Enoch.

I decided to use the name quoted in the Bible because in our culture this record has been considered a source of historical knowledge for centuries. Many contemporary supporters of alternative history also refer to it. However, I would like to consider more broadly what the source of these legends and myths could be. I want to invite readers on a journey through old notes and mysterious discoveries, during which everyone will be able to make their own decision: to believe or not to believe. If we do not learn about the giants, we have a chance to better understand our ancestors and the cultural archetypes they have passed on to us.

Before the birth of modern archeology and anthropology, the belief in giants was common. In the folk version, most often it was simply believed that they lived somewhere in the mountains or in another dimension. They appeared in this form in folklore.

More learned representatives of society considered them to be creatures who lived in the distant past. One of the pieces of evidence for the existence of giants was supposed to be megalithic structures, made of huge stones. Besides, the Bible and every self-respecting religious tradition spoke of them. For premodern men, these were sources of historical knowledge. Unlike us, however, they were unable to verify them with archaeological material. Hence, the story of the conquest of the kingdom of Judah or the rise of the Maccabees was as credible to them as the references to the flood, giants, and fallen angels.

However, in the 21st century, can we believe the stories written in old books and passed on in myths and legends?

Since we are talking primarily about our perspective, it is worth starting with the mythology that influenced European culture. In addition to the biblical giants who infiltrated our culture through Christianity, many European peoples had their own stories of great humanoids. Here you can include the Greek titans, such as Atlas who supports the world. He is met by the Greek heroes Hercules and Perseus. The latter shows Atlas the head of Medusa, as a result of which the titan turns into the Atlas Mountains.

Many stories about huge beings, such as Atlas or the Scandinavian Ymir, are typical myths related to the origins of the world. Some god or hero defeats a giant, and as a result of this action, some part of the world is created. However, there are also figures that are slightly closer to man in height and nature. These creatures can be described as separate people living in the vicinity of people. They are also often associated with the myth of the "wild man from the forest". Asia has its Yeti, America's Bigfoot, in Europe their counterpart is the Basque Bajasaduk - an old man from the forest. On the other hand, typical Basque giants are jentilak (singular jentil). Described by the Basques as humanoids, larger than humans, living in the mountains. According to Basque legends, however, they were supposed to teach the people of agriculture and metallurgy. Their work (similarly to the Cyclops in Greece) was to be megalithic structures.

The inhabitants of Asia, Africa, both Americas, etc. have their versions of the giants. Perhaps the most famous character from Asia is Yeti. One of the "wild" giants. It is possible that legends about him refer to meetings of Homo sapiens with older forms of hominids.

In Hindu mythology, we meet another version of the giant from which various creatures, including humans, were created. It is Purusha. Like Ymir in Scandinavian mythology, he became a victim of the gods who created something new out of his body. In the Hindu tradition, this figure is rarely taken literally. We should be more interested in the concept of the giants living in the Satyayuga era (golden age). It is difficult to say who borrowed this idea from whom, but it is very similar to the concepts of successive eras in Greek and Roman mythology. The golden age, according to the Greeks and Romans, was the age of long-lived, healthy, honest people, who did not need any rights, etc. One of their features in the Hindu version was that they could grow up to enormous heights.

There is no shortage of giants in the tales of New Zealand Maori. To name only the legendary leader who lived in the first half of the 19th century, named Kihara. He was supposed to be twice as tall as an ordinary man. Similar stories relate to the warriors and chiefs of other tribes in New Zealand.

Either way, great humanoid figures, and supernaturally grown people appear in stories from Greece to Scandinavia and from Alaska to Oceania. Each culture has its giants, sometimes in one mythology, there is room for different varieties of them.

In the early 2000s, alleged photographs from excavations showing giant skeletons began to seep into the press. The whole thing turned out to be a fraud and the accuracy of these photos was denied many times. It must be added that the giants of the dimensions given in these sources could not exist in terrestrial conditions.

We know that there is great variation in size within one biological order or even a family of organisms. The baby monkey Uistiti and the giant mountain gorilla are primates, and the ruffian mouse is a mammal as is the blue whale. However, they are distinguished by their shape. Looking at the largest contemporary and extinct animals in the world, we see a massive structure, the land is four-legged, the sea has reduced limbs in favor of a massive, aquadynamic body. All of this is due to the laws of physics. The greater the mass of a body, the stronger it is affected by gravity (and also by gravity). Therefore, you can imagine a humanoid 2 even 2.5 meters high. However, it could not look and move like a larger version of a human being several or several dozen meters tall. Does this mean that all the stories about the giants were made up or should be treated as a metaphor? Not necessarily. It is possible that the mythology about giants was sometimes like the tales of anglers. "Taaka Fish" grows from story to story until listeners wonder if a friend was fishing for crucian carp in a nearby lake or sharks in the Pacific.

People differ in height. Depending on diet and inherited genetics, entire populations can be quite small or very tall. The meeting of such two communities may result in tales of giants on the one hand and lilliputians on the other.

We could also bury our distant past. According to research on homo sapiens inhabiting Europe during the Paleolithic period, our ancestors were on average taller, had larger brains and stronger jaws than modern Europeans. No wonder - they had to survive in the harsh conditions of the Ice Age. Characteristically, the skeletons become smaller and finer the closer to the Neolithic age. If the representatives of the "old" community of tall people came across a "new" community of lower and weaker people, then we have one of the possible sources of stories about giants.

Anthropology is full of as yet unsolved mysteries. Could there be giants? It depends on how we approach it. If we call an exceptionally tall and strong species of hominid giants, then yes. Another source of legends on this subject may be the phenomenon of a disturbance in the secretion of growth hormone by the pituitary gland. As a result, gigantism appears, and a person suffering from it may be significantly taller than even members of one's own family. Great warriors such as Kihaora or the biblical Goliath are therefore biologically possible. Their growth in the stories may be a little exaggerated, but there is no reason not to believe in the existence of such individuals. However, if anyone imagines that photos of huge skeletons circulating on the internet are evidence of the existence of the Nefilim, then I must disappoint him. A 20-meter bipedal humanoid with an anatomical structure like that of a human is physically impossible. Nevertheless, every story, even a seemingly fantastic legend, is worth looking at.

Bibliography:

• Hebrew-Polish Old Testament. Pentateuch, Interlinear translation with grammatical codes, transliteration, and stem intakes, Vocatio 2003
• Fran Dorey, How have we since our species first appeared at: https://australian.museum/learn/science/human-evolution/how-have-we-changed-since-our-species-first-appeared/, accessed on 09.12.2021
• Andrzej Szrejter, Germanic Mythology, Warsaw 1997
• Encyclopedia of Mythology and Folklore, edited by Joseph Sherman, New York 2011

George Michael's tragic love story. Who was the love of his life?

 It has been several years since George Michael's death. The sudden death of the talented singer shocked the fans who still cannot come to terms with her. George struggled with drug and alcohol addiction for a long time. He had a sad reason for this - the death of his beloved, Anselmo Feleppa. The love for the Brazilian fashion designer left a tragic mark on the singer's life. See how this sad story ended.

George Michael has always dreamed of becoming a singer. He started his music career in 1981 when he founded the band, Wham! With a friend from school. Michael fulfilled himself in the band as a vocalist and instrumentalist, as well as a songwriter. With the album Make It Big (1984), George Michael became known all over the world, and the band gained fame on an international scale. The song "Last Christmas", which was composed by George Michael, is broadcast to this day on TV stations and radio stations as soon as the pre-Christmas season approaches. George parted ways with Wham! and opted for a solo career.

Without a shadow of a doubt, George Michael's musical success was enormous. However, there were also huge scandals and traumatic events in the musician's life. The musician dated many men and women. Among them, however, there was a person who changed the singer's life forever. In 1991, George Michael met Anselmo Feleppa, a Brazilian fashion designer. The men met at one of the concerts in Rio de Janeiro. A bond immediately developed between them, and the men decided to form a life together. Unfortunately, only six months after their relationship, it turned out that Anselmo was infected with HIV. This news completely destroyed the lives of both Anselmo Feleppa and George Michael. It was then that the series of misfortunes began, and not long after that, the greatest tragedy in the life of a British musician took place.

George Michael in one of the interviews accurately described the moment when he first heard about Feleppa's disease. It was terrifying news for him. First, he was afraid for the life of his beloved, with whom he had great hopes for a life together. Second, he was simply concerned about his health. The thought kept running through his mind that Feleppa might have infected him with the virus. George could not and could not, however, share his worries with anyone - the family had no idea that the musician was gay.

Anselmo Feleppa suffered a stroke in 1993, as a result of which he was completely paralyzed. A few months later, to George Michael's despair, Feleppa died. It was then that the singer composed the song "Jesus to a Child" for his beloved, which landed on the album Older (1996). When George Michael sang this song at the concert, he dedicated it to his beloved Anselmo each time. Unfortunately, Anselmo's death did not have a good effect on the singer's mental health. George Michael became depressed and for several years was in constant mourning. At one point he disappeared from the scene, unable to come to terms with Feleppa's death. When he slowly began to recover from the death of his beloved man, the singer's mother died unexpectedly. George Michael broke down completely this time. Just then, plunged into despair after losing the love of life and his beloved mother, he started using drugs almost every day.

George Michael lost his joy in life and stopped enjoying composing music. The happiness it once exuded evaporated. The musician fell into a deep depression and was unable to cope with his own life. He began to use stimulants - alcohol and drugs became an integral part of his day. It also happened that George Michael had sex with people he met in order to drown out the pain associated with the death of loved ones. The most famous action took place in 1998 when police officers caught George Michael in public sex with a stranger. The singer then decided to reveal to the media that he was gay - he had nothing to lose anyway since the sexual scandal spread all over the world. Admitting his sexual orientation did not go unnoticed on George Michael. It was an extremely difficult moment for him because the musician was afraid all his life to admit that he preferred the male gender.

The music world spread rumors of George Michael's sexual adventures every day, and the singer was getting tired of everything. He could no longer find consolation in the arms of his beloved, who would surely know how to handle it all. Michael barely managed to return to the music scene and pursue a solo career. The reality overwhelmed him so much that he no longer had the strength to live. In 2006, George Michael was caught having drugs. The singer was driving the car while intoxicated with drugs, as a result of which he lost his driving license. Two years later, he was sentenced to two months' imprisonment because he was in possession of drugs again. It was because of this that the new relationship between George Michael and entrepreneur Kenny Goss, who was unable to cope with the singer's problems, broke up.

George Michael was in a relationship with Goss for several years. All this time, however, Michael was unable to come to terms with the death of Anselmo Feleppa. That's why the singer regularly cheated on Kenny Goss, who patiently turned a blind eye to everything - until the musician became addicted to alcohol and drugs. George Michael was looking for a break from bad thoughts that haunted him. The painful loss of Anselmo and his mother meant that the musician's health deteriorated significantly over time. Mental problems were made worse by drug addiction. Chronic stress made George Michael systematically cancel his concerts from 2011.

One November of the same year, the musician felt a strong pressure in his chest in the morning. An ambulance took him to the hospital almost immediately - George was diagnosed with severe pneumonia. Heart problems and the subsequent collapse caused Michael to be put into a pharmacological coma to save him. After an exhausting fight, the musician whose mental and physical health was in the balance was brought back to life. George Michael was getting worse and worse with the demons of the past, and the stress did not help him fight them.

George Michael died unexpectedly on December 25, 2016, at his estate in Oxfordshire. Many years of depression, as well as addiction to drugs and alcohol, contributed to the singer's death. There were many rumors and speculations about George Michael's death - some even believed that the musician had been murdered by someone. Others believed that the singer committed suicide because he could not cope with the loss of his beloved Anselmo Feleppa and his mother. It is very likely, especially as George Michael repeated many times, incl. to his friend Elton John that he has had enough of life and wants to end it. Did George Michale take his own life? There are rumors that he has reportedly tried to do it four times before.

Psychologists who have investigated the cause of George Michael's death are unanimous on the matter. They believe the singer suffered from a "prolonged mourning reaction" - that is, pathologically prolonged mourning for the loss of a loved one, which then turned into depression. The British singer was said to never come to terms with the death of Anselmo Feleppa. He repeated many times that when Anselmo was diagnosed with HIV, he was worried about losing it. He was afraid that his "savior," as Anselmo Feleppa called, would leave him. After the death of his beloved and then his mother, George Michael had a nervous breakdown. He claimed that he had never felt such a great deal of inner pain. Doctors believe that George Michael's death was also caused by many years of loneliness, which increased the level of stress. It was because of this that the singer's body began to produce too much cortisol, which disturbed the proper functioning of the heart. George Michael died tragically at the age of 53, leaving distraught fans in mourning to this day.

Bibliography:

• Jovanovic Rob: George Michael, Wielka Litera Publishing House, Warsaw 2017
• Emily Herbert: George Michael - The Life: 1963-2016, Bonnier Publishing Fiction Ltd, London 2017

Madame de Pompadour (Jeanne Antoinette Poisson) - the royal favorite of Louis XV

 The famous marquis, Madame de Pompadour is the most famous mistress and lover of Louis XV. During her stay there, she had a significant impact on Versailles and its functioning, it is believed that in general, she had quite a large influence in France at that time. As for Versailles itself: she organized entertainment for the king there: theaters, balls, and later even ... she selected subsequent lovers of Louis XV. But isn't its importance overestimated?

Jeanne Antoinette Poisson, because her real name was Madame de Pompadour, was born in 1721 to a middle-class family. The word Poisson means fish in French, which in Jeanne's life was the cause of numerous scoffs and mockery. Her father was a tax leaseholder. He was convicted of embezzlement and had to flee to Germany. Jeanne herself stayed with the Ursuline Sisters in Poissy for several years. In the future, she supported this monastery with generous donations. From childhood, she was accompanied by health problems, she often caught a cold and fever.

It has been speculated that Jeanne's father is not a biological father. One of the "candidates" for her real father was, inter alia, Lenormant de Tournehem. Apparently, on his initiative on March 9, 1741, she married his nephew, 24-year-old Charles Guillaume Le Normant d'Etiolles. Jeanne was the mistress of the house, she visited salons, she had the opportunity to meet Voltaire and Montesquieu. She herself, in turn, was gifted with acting talent. Jeanne and Charles's first child - the son - died, and they later had a daughter, whom they named Alexandrine.

Jeanne is said to have been of exceptional beauty. According to Benedetta, Craveri had an oval face with regular features, beautiful eyes characterized by exceptional radiance. She was called Reinette, or the little queen. Apparently, she chose Louis XV as her goal quite early. Even her mother was to convince her that she was a morsel for the king, and one day the fairy would prophesy to her that she would be the king's bride. By a "lucky" coincidence, Versailles was located near the d'Etioles estate.

It is not clear how she first came into contact with the king. Apparently, her father-in-law was involved in it (he sent his nephew on business at that time), but also her former lover Dominique Guillaume Le Bel, servant of Louis XV. The masquerade ball, organized in 1745 on the occasion of the marriage of the royal son, was to be a good moment for a tryst.

These types of balls were an easy opportunity to make this type of acquaintance. Louis XV, as well as 6 other people, was dressed as a yew tree. He was supposed to use this easy camouflage to meet Jeanne. The couple liked each other so much that Jeanne's father-in-law finally informed his nephew that his wife had abandoned him. The couple would later function only in separation.

While Louis XV was busy with hostilities in Flanders, Jeanne was getting ready to function in the French high society, in which Voltaire himself was to help her. On July 11, she received from the king the act of conferring the title of Marquis de Pompadour on her, and on September 14 she was officially introduced to the royal couple. She lived in Versailles no longer as a lover, but as an official mistress and could take the place vacated by the Duchess de Châteauroux. Due to its origin, this has in itself become a source of scandal.

The irony of fate in the context of her "function" of the favorite was the fact that Madame de Pompadour was reportedly not very temperamental, and her health was still quite weak. However, due to her bourgeois origin, she brought a certain freshness into the life of Louis XV that delighted him. In the years 1747-1752, she organized performances and operas for the king, in which she also took part. She is believed to have been a champion in overcoming the king's apathy and discouragement.

At the same time, she tried to build her position at court. She supported the already mentioned Voltaire and Montesquieu, opposing the devotees. She supported young talents, it is claimed, probably not without reason, that she contributed to the development of French culture at that time. She bought palaces, which she then rebuilt. The most important of them was the Bellevue Palace, which no longer exists, its name means "beautiful view".

An interesting fact was that there was no hostility as such between Madame de Pompadour and Maria Leszczyńska. The marquis respected the queen, she even tried to influence Louis XV so that he would treat his wife better, which was effective. Maria, on the other hand, seemed to tolerate Jeanne, perhaps even with a little forbearance.

At the same time, however, its opposition grew stronger. This opposition was led by none other than the dolphin himself, who called Madame de Pompadour "mummy whore". His sisters were also hostile to her. At the same time, the king's confessors constantly rebuked him, and offensive faith and songs called poissonades circulated among the people. One of the authors of their texts was to be Count de Maurepas, minister, and secretary of state, who hated Madame de Pompadour, who overestimated his strength. For when, after another conflict with Madame and her miscarriage, fresh and up-to-date texts appeared on the streets, on April 23, 1749, the count received a letter from the king demanding his resignation and departure to his estate for 25 years.

The irony of fate in the context of her "function" of the favorite was the fact that Madame de Pompadour was reportedly not very temperamental, and her health was still quite weak. However, due to her bourgeois origin, she brought a certain freshness into the life of Louis XV that delighted him. In the years 1747-1752, she organized performances and operas for the king, in which she also took part. She is believed to have been a champion in overcoming the king's apathy and discouragement.

At the same time, she tried to build her position at court. She supported the already mentioned Voltaire and Montesquieu, opposing the devotees. She supported young talents, it is claimed, probably not without reason, that she contributed to the development of French culture at that time. She bought palaces, which she then rebuilt. The most important of them was the Bellevue Palace, which no longer exists, its name means "beautiful view".

An interesting fact was that there was no hostility as such between Madame de Pompadour and Maria Leszczyńska. The marquis respected the queen, she even tried to influence Louis XV so that he would treat his wife better, which was effective. Maria, on the other hand, seemed to tolerate Jeanne, perhaps even with a little forbearance.

At the same time, however, its opposition grew stronger. This opposition was led by none other than the dolphin himself, who called Madame de Pompadour "mummy whore". His sisters were also hostile to her. At the same time, the king's confessors constantly rebuked him, and offensive faith and songs called poissonades circulated among the people. One of the authors of their texts was to be Count de Maurepas, minister, and secretary of state, who hated Madame de Pompadour, who overestimated his strength. For when, after another conflict with Madame and her miscarriage, fresh and up-to-date texts appeared on the streets, on April 23, 1749, the count received a letter from the king demanding his resignation and departure to his estate for 25 years.

Jeanne's health was affected by fighting the opposition, including hostility from the king's children, fulfilling a variety of duties and stress. Her coldness grew, and problems of a gynecological nature accumulated. As a consequence, her role as a lover would come to an end. In 1750 she and Louis XV were to agree to close this sphere of their relationship. However, she remained at court as a person still important to the king.

Paradoxically, it was then that the political role of Madame de Pompadour grew. Anyway, she tried to make such an impression herself. She welcomed princes, ambassadors ... At the same time, she tried to change her image, moving towards piety. She changed the way she dressed, she started attending services. At that time, at the age of 13, her daughter Alexandrine probably died as a result of appendicitis. Jeanne even offered to make up for her husband, but this offer he flatly rejected. The marquis herself, having obtained the function of the palace lady of Maria Leszczyńska, officially announced her entry into the path of piety.

Later, however, together with the king's first servant, Le Bel, she was to play a completely different role: it can be said that she chose subsequent lovers of Louis XV. Young girls and women who were well-mannered, but not of high society, were chosen so that they could not endanger the position of Madame de Pompadour herself. And preferably virgins from houses that would gladly accept an additional salary for "making" their daughter available. They were located in an apartment on Saint Mederic Street, it was still widely understood Versailles, but on its periphery.

The situation related to Damiens' attack on the king was used by Madame's opponents, who saw in her an opportunity to get rid of her. A conspiracy led by a dolphin had developed. Although the wound suffered by Louis XV was not serious, he, after confessing, asked his family for forgiveness. Madame de Pompadour locked herself in her rooms, surrounded only by trusted people, awaiting a sentence. And there were reasons for this because her hostile environment tried to convince the king that it was necessary for the marquis to leave for his salvation. The crowd gathered in front of Versailles shouted "long live the king, death to Pompadour". Jean Baptiste d'Arnouville Machault, minister of the navy, successor to Maurepas, allegedly on behalf of the king, ordered her to leave Versailles. However, a few days later, the king felt better, and both Machault and Count d'Argeson, the minister of war, who had participated in the conspiracy against Marquis Marc Rene, was dismissed, which was a mistake in the context of the impending Great War. It was 1757.

Madame de Pompadour, moreover, was to play a role in the context of the Seven Years' War, because Count von Kaunitz, the chancellor of Austria, was to send Louis XV through her a proposal to conclude an alliance. In turn, secret negotiations with Austria were conducted by two "her people": the priest de Bernis and the Count de Staimalle, later Duke de Choiseul. Partly, the talks between representatives of both countries were to take place at her property in Belleuve. Paradoxically, the case of war attracted her to the actions of the King of Prussia, Frederick II, who began to disseminate among French society biased information about her contacts with the Empress of Austria and about her expenses.

At that time, Madame de Pompadour acted blindly, trying to influence everything, even general appointments. It must also be made a reservation that it is impossible to assess exactly how big its influence was on the staffing of positions in the state, what was its real significance in this context. By luck, the aforementioned Francois de Choiseul, already as Duke of Etienne, led to the end of the war, which turned out to be no more painful for France than it really could.

Madame de Pompadour died at Versailles on April 15, 1764. Lung disease was the likely cause of her death. Earlier it was noticed that her skin is sallow and that puffiness appeared under her eyes. She was prescribed donkey's milk as a treatment, which of course could not help. The end of her life is coughing attacks and hemorrhages.

After her death, her body was surreptitiously carried out covered with a sheet. She was buried in the Capuchin Church in Paris. Even Maria Leszczyńska ordered a mass for her, saying in an interview with one of the ladies of the court that “It is natural, my dear, Madame de Pompadour was a lady of the court and I could never complain about her. I don't care about the rest, it's a matter between God and the king ”(Libiszowska, p. 89).

Bibliography:

• J. Baszkiewicz, History of France, Ossolineum, Warsaw 1999.
• B. Craveri, Mistresses and Queens. Power of women, W.A.B. Publishing House, Warsaw 2005.
• Z. Libiszowska, Ludwik XV, National Institute of Ossoliński, Wrocław 1997.

Yoko Ono and John Lennon - the backstage of the famous love story. John Lennon - biography, artistic achievements, private life, death

 Yoko Ono and John Lennon were considered to be some of the most popular and iconic couples in the world of show business. He - a talented musician. She - an avant-garde artist. How strong a feeling brought Ono and Lennon together? What led to the end of their marriage? This is the backstage of Yoko Ono and John Lennon's famous love story.

John Lennon loved music since he was a child. His mother, who bought John's first guitar, infected him with his passion. John founded his first music band, The Quarrymen, at the age of 15. Soon after, he met Paul McCartney, and then George Harrison and Ringo Starr, with whom he formed the band The Beatles. The band quickly gained popularity in Great Britain, thanks to the talented manager of the music group. Lennon and McCartney wrote their greatest songs for The Beatles, and the band's career developed rapidly. Meanwhile, Lennon's son Julian was born. John was then associated with Cynthia Powell.

As The Beatles' international career developed, John Lennon began to use more and more creative means - including drugs. The musician's attitude was also becoming more and more pacifist. One November 1966, John, looking for inspiration, went to the London Indica Gallery, where he first met Yoko Ono - a Japanese avant-garde artist. Apparently, John did not make a good impression on her, or at least that was the opinion of the then director of the gallery, who witnessed Yoko's meeting with John. Lennon, however, became fascinated by the author of the exhibition, who had a completely fresh perspective on the surrounding reality. Of course, there is a lot of speculation about the moment when the couple fell in love with each other headlessly. Fans believe the story of "love at first sight" - even though Yoko Ono has never confirmed that she immediately fell in love with John.

When Yoko met John, they were both married and had children. John had a son, Julian with Cynthia Powell, and Yoko a daughter, Kyoko with Tony Cox. The artists were in unhappy relationships. It caused Yoko to divorce her husband. John, in turn, tried his best to suppress the feeling he had unexpectedly bestowed on Yoko. Lennon had long made Cynthia feel that everything was fine. But when Yoko Ono started calling Lennon's house, he had to find an explanation quickly. So he said to Cynthia, "It's that Japanese again, begging money for her strange avant-garde." Indeed, Lennon sponsored Yoko an exhibition in London, and later - taking advantage of the absence of his wife and son at home, who had gone to Greece for holidays - invited Yoko Ono to his place. Both on the same evening recorded amazing music material. A few days later, Cynthia came home to find Yoko ... wearing her bathrobe.

Yoko Ono doubted whether she should have a relationship with John Lennon. Yoko knew that Lennon's fans and those around him could react very negatively to her. She was afraid of being mistreated by everyone. The artists, however, had too much in common. Yoko understood John like no one else. The couple could communicate without any words. She also allowed herself the freedom and ordinary being herself, which they had not experienced before from their partners. As the saying goes, "love does not choose." This is why Yoko Ono and John Lennon were married in Gibraltar on March 20, 1969. The Beatles fans weren't particularly happy about it. Just as Yoko suspected, they started pointing out everything - the famous "bed-in" performance at the Amsterdam Hilton, feminism, unconventional beauty or musical collaborations with Lennon. The biggest accusation against Yoko Ono was, however, blaming the artist for the break-up of The Beatles.

The couple continued to engage in art, music, cinema, and various happenings together. John Lennon became interested in the ideas of the hippie movement, and also took Yoko with him, who stimulated him artistically, on tours. Lennon decided to leave The Beatles in September 1969, but the official reason for the band's breakup is the date of Paul McCartney's departure (April 10, 1070). Of course, the fans accused Yoko Ono of the break-up of the band, but it was not true. Paul McCartney was silent about the matter for a long time. In fact, it wasn't until a few years ago that he admitted that Yoko did not contribute to the breakup of The Beatles.

After leaving the Beatles, John Lennon became more and more involved in the fight for peace in the world, which was helped by his beloved Yoko Ono. Lennon later began a solo musical activity that allowed him to be artistically liberated. The music that John Lennon composed with Yoko Ono was not fully understood by the fans. Nevertheless, John Lennon managed to write a beautiful song Imagine, which to this day is one of the most beautiful ballads in the world.

The couple decided to move to New York. Interestingly, the then US authorities wanted to deport a couple for pacifist views. The deportation, however, was unsuccessful because John Lennon and Yoko Ono were supported by many high-ranking Americans. The Beatles fans decided that the move was definitely a "witch" idea - Yoko Ono, as some began to talk about Lennon's beloved. In 1974, John Lennon began to use the glass more and more. One day, under the influence of alcohol, he cheated. So Yoko Ono kicked him out of the house. The artist drank with his friends for several months to drown out his sadness and grief. After eighteen months, however, contrite returned to Yoko, who took him back - however, noting that John must give up stimulants.

In 1975, their son, Sean, was born to the couple. John Lennon then decided to take a break from music. He wanted to take care of the house and the baby, and so Yoko Ono was accused again - this time of making her husband a "henpecker". Yoko was slandered unjustifiably, even though John had made up his own mind that he wanted to look after his little son. In 1977, John Lennon fell into a deep depression, and Yoko took him to rest in Hong Kong.

When things were theoretically going to be better, Lennon's mental state deteriorated significantly. The musician started taking drugs again, and most of the day he did not get out of bed. In 1980, at the urging of his wife, he took his son to Bermuda to breathe there and take up his beloved sailing. The musicians were so enchanted by Bermuda that he regained his spirit and recorded a positive, cheerful album Double Fantasy there. He had no idea then that this joyful album would be ... the last one in his life.

Shortly after the premiere of Double Fantasy on December 8, 1980, John Lennon was killed. The Beatles singer was shot four times, which unfortunately he did not manage to survive. Doctors, despite long attempts to support Lennon's life, failed to save him. Two hours after the assassination of John Lennon, fans began gathering in front of his house to pay tribute to his beloved artist. Yoko Ono did not want to organize a public funeral but asked fans to pray for her late husband.

Yoko Ono and John Lennon's love was definitely one of the most interesting and colorful in show business. The two artists, who were united by their love of art, did not step back. It's hard today for such a sincere and true love of two people with similar passions. Yoko Ono and John Lennon will long be remembered as a marriage that only death could separate.

John Lennon is a famous British musician and composer, and also a former member of The Beatles. On stage, he became famous as an amazing guitarist and singer. He composed for The Beatles the greatest songs that are still known and willingly covered all over the world. What was John Lennon's biography like? Why was John's marriage to Yoko Ono so popular? When did the famous musician die? Find out more about John Lennon and his story.

The British musician was born on October 9, 1940, in Liverpool, the son of Julia née Stanley and Alfred Lennon. John's father was an Irish sailor and his mother was a lifeguard's daughter. The parents named their son John Winston - the boy got his second name in honor of the British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. John was not a planned child. Julia often flirted on the side with other men while her husband was away. Alfred considered John his son despite knowing that he might not be. The couple could not cope with both of them. They had a hard time living next to each other, so they started to encourage the boy to choose who he wanted to live with. John eventually chose a mother. The young couple still quarreled very often, this time over their son - and John was sometimes cared for by his mother's sister, Mary "Mimi" Smith. The father stopped visiting his son, and the mother did so regularly. Julia taught her son to play the banjo, infecting John with her love of music.

In 1947, young Lennon began attending Dovedale Elementary School. After passing the exam, he attended the Quarry Bank Grammar School in Liverpool (from September 1952 to 1957). Both schools described John as "a happy, carefree boy full of life." Lennon was a good student, but he liked to get into fights with other boys from time to time, and his performance was lowered. In 1956 John's mother bought him his first guitar. It was then that John Lennon began to take an interest in rock'n'roll - fascinated by the works of Elvis Presley. The musician's mother died in 1958 after being hit by a car driven by a drunk policeman.

John Lennon at the age of 15 founded the musical group The Quarrymen. On July 6, 1957, one of the members of Lennon's band brought his younger friend to the concert - it was Paul McCartney. It was on this day that the boys saw each other for the first time. John saw the potential in Paul and they joined forces soon after - Paul was playing as a bass player. McCartney asked Lennon if his friend George Harrison could become the lead guitarist for the band. John Lennon believed that 14-year-old Harrison was too young to make music. However, it soon turned out that Harrison is an excellent instrumentalist. Ringo Starr later joined the boys as a drummer. Four talented musicians joined forces to name the band The Beatles.

In late 1961, the band signed their first contract with Brian Epstein, who managed the group until his death in 1967 (drug overdose). Brian didn't have much experience in managing artists, but he had a huge impact on the band's clothing and their attitude on the stage. The band's first single ("Love Me Do") was released in October 1962 and reached 17th place on the British charts. Their debut album (Please Please Me) The Beatles was recorded in less than 10 hours. John Lennon and Paul McCartney wrote the greatest songs for the band together. Meanwhile, John married Cynthia Powell (23 August 1962). Lennon was on the road when his first son Julian was born in April.

The Beatles were a huge success in Great Britain in early 1963. During his performance at the British Royal Variety Show, which was attended by the entire royal family, Lennon made a lot of jokes about the audience. Nevertheless, The Beatles received recognition from the British establishment. In 1965, Queen Elizabeth II presented the team with an Order of the British Empire, which Lennon returned in 1969 as an objection. He did not like the conflict between Great Britain and Africa, and the support of the Americans by the British government in the war with Vietnam.

In the following years of touring, John Lennon used LSD more and more often - drugs reportedly inspired the musician to write better and better songs. The Beatles in 1967 released the breakthrough song "Strawberry Fields Forever". In mid-year, they also performed the song "All You Need Is Love," which formalized Lennon's new pacifist stance. John then started dating Yoko Ono - a Japanese avant-garde artist. The couple began to get to know each other better, spending more and more time with each other, incl. during a joint trip to India where they learned the secrets of meditation and Buddhism. After returning home, Yoko Ono became Lennon's muse. He divorced his wife Cynthia in 1968. Yoko became his second wife in 1969.

The British composer began to become more and more fascinated with the ideas of the hippie movement and the religion of the East, which can be clearly heard in the album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band and Magical Mystery Tour. This is how The Beatles contributed to the popularization of the idea of ​​"Children of Flowers". John took Yoko Ono with him everywhere because she stimulated him artistically. Lennon's drug use and his growing interest solely in Yoko caused the band to disintegrate. In August 1969, Lennon informed McCartney that he wanted to leave The Beatles. Guitarist Paul McCartney left the band on April 10, 1970. Fans accused Yoko Ono of breaking up the band, and Lennon became more and more involved in the fight for world peace under her influence.

In the same year, John Lennon released the solo album John Lennon / Plastic Ono Band. The disc was appreciated by music critics, but the personal lyrics and little-known sound reduced the album's reach. Avant-garde solo activity and new songs recorded with my wife were not understandable for everyone. In 1971, John Lennon released the album Imagine - the most popular in the entire solo career of Lennon. The singer professed his love for Yoko Ono on the album, and the song "Imagine" is very popular all over the world to this day.

Lennon and Ono moved to New York shortly thereafter. The administration of Richard Nixon (the then US president) wanted to deport a pacifist couple at all costs. Lennon was then caught up in a legal battle with immigration authorities. The musician was under surveillance by the FBI, and the artist and his wife from the United States were deported for his pacifist activities. Lennon, however, was supported by many respected American citizens, and the deportation was therefore unsuccessful.

In early 1974, Lennon drank heavily and his alcoholic antics hit the headlines - all because of the betrayal of his beloved Yoko Ono in 1974. The musician was kicked out of the house, so he drank with other artists and partied for 18 months. He later called this sad period "the lost weekend." However, he missed Yoko Ono and asked his wife for forgiveness. Yoko accepted him again but forced John to quit the stimulants. Soon after, Yoko Ono became pregnant and gave birth to a son, Sean Lennon (October 9, 1975). John Lennon then began his five-year break from making music, taking care of his son, and becoming the master of the house.

In 1977, John became depressed, so Yoko Ono took her husband to Hong Kong. The next year it was even worse - the musician returned to drugs and lay a lot in bed. In 1980, he and his son went to Bermuda to catch a breath and rest. As his health improved, Lennon recorded the album Double Fantasy - an upbeat and positive album that was warmly welcomed by fans. The album reflected John Lennon's fulfillment in his stable family life.

On December 8, 1980, i.e. shortly after the premiere of Double Fantasy, John Lennon was killed. The musician was shot by Mark David Chapman at the gate of his home in Dakota. Four gunshot wounds were found in the body (two in the back and two in the arm). There was no waiting for an ambulance because John's condition was tragic. Unfortunately, the doctors failed to save Lennon, who lost about 70% of his blood due to heavy gunshot wounds. The news shocked fans who flocked around his house to pay tribute to the idol shortly after the announcement of Lennon's death.

The musician's body was cremated two days later. Yoko Ono decided not to organize her husband's public funeral - she only asked the fans to pray for John Lennon. After all, fans still flocked to the streets and sang John Lennon songs to show that they were united by the artist. Chapman was charged with second-degree manslaughter, to which he pleaded guilty without protest. He is currently serving a life sentence at Attica State Prison (near Buffalo, New York). John Lennon's murderer has applied for parole on several occasions. However, all his requests were turned down.

Bibliography:

• Philip Norman: John Lennon. Życie, Axis Mundi Publishing House, Warsaw 2010
• Richard Buskin: John Lennon. Życie i legend, Astrum Publishing House, Warsaw 2015
• Lennon John, Davies Hunter: John Lennon. Letters, Prószyński Media Publishing House, Warsaw 2012
• James Woodall: John Lennon and Yoko Ono, Wydawnictwo Literackie, Warsaw 1998
• Jonathan Cott: Yoko and John. Days I Will Never Forget, Znak Publishing House, Warsaw 2013
• Laura Laurenzi: The most famous love stories of the 20th century, Twój Styl Publishing House, Warsaw 2003

Valentine's Day - interesting facts: WHERE DID THE FEAST OF LOVERS COME AND HOW TO SPEND IT?

 Valentine's Day, Valentine's Day, is one of the most popular events of the year, celebrated almost all over the world. Below you will find out what are the strangest curiosities about Valentine's Day and what is the history of the lovers' holiday. During this time, shop windows and florists are filled with red hearts, teddy bears, and flowers, especially red roses. Where did Valentine's Day come from and how to spend this romantic time with your loved one? We will try, at least in a minimal way, to help resolve all doubts.

The name of this unusual holiday comes from the name of St. Valentine - the patron saint of lovers. St. Walenty was a bishop of Terni and a Roman priest. His feast day is celebrated in the Catholic Church on February 14.

Legend has it that St. Walenty celebrated the wedding of young lovers despite the ruler's ban, and was thrown into prison. It was then that he fell in love with the guardian's daughter, who regained her sight thanks to his love. Unfortunately, Emperor Claudius did not accept the love of two lovers and sentenced Valentine to beheaded. Before his tragic death, Walenty managed to write a letter to his beloved, which he signed: "From Your Valentine".

Before Valentine's Day came to Poland, it traveled all over the world. From the Middle Ages, it was celebrated in southern and western Europe. Modern customs related to Valentine's Day began in the 1840s in the United States. We can see the first surviving Valentine's Day at the British Museum. It was given in 1415 by the Duke of Orleans - Charles, who, imprisoned in the Tower of London, sent his wife a card with a declaration of love.

Valentine's Day reached Poland in the 90s of the last century. From the beginning, Valentine's Day did not have only supporters, on the contrary, they had their opponents. Poles considered this day an Americanized holiday. Over the years, however, more and more people have become convinced of this custom and celebrate this holiday with joy.

How and where to spend Valentine's evening with your loved one?

We don't have to wonder what gift to buy. All you need is a small, inexpensive gift straight from the heart.

The most popular gifts are Valentine's cards made by hand or bought in a store. The most important thing is that the declarations of love they contain are sincere and true. We don't have to rewrite clichéd poems to simply express the real feeling we have for the other person.

In addition to cards, various types of chocolates are popular. They are available in various forms in each store, but the most important thing is that they always have the power of aphrodisiacs. After all, the taste of chocolate is probably loved by all of us.

A simple, universal gift can also be a porcelain mug with a romantic decoration, a pillow or a frame for a common photo. All gifts must have a red accent, preferably a symbol of love - a heart. Additionally, we can offer the ladies a bouquet of beautiful red roses.

To make this evening really special, let's remember about a romantic dinner. It can be a meal either in an elegant restaurant or by candlelight in the privacy of your home. A well-known proverb says: "through the stomach to the heart." It is probably quite a challenge, but remember that they do not have to be exquisite and sophisticated dishes. The most important thing is that they should be made by hand - and their perfect complement will be good, red wine served in elegant glasses.

Of course, the culmination of a romantic dinner should be a sweet dessert supplemented with fruit - e.g. juicy strawberries, which can be dipped in melted milk chocolate. If you absolutely want a cake on the table, you can prepare it using a heart-shaped springform pan. It can be any cake, but the very shape of the baking pan will make this dessert really special.

Finally, don't forget about candlesticks and lanterns. They will disperse the candlelight, thus creating an unprecedented visual spectacle, guaranteeing a romantic atmosphere.

As we know, we should show a loved one every day - however, Valentine's Day is a great opportunity to do it in a really special and unique way. So let's not miss this occasion and let's put our whole heart into this romantic evening, and the effect will definitely be stunning, and maybe even…. will surpass our wildest expectations.

1. The British consider Valentine's Day their own celebration due to the fact that it was made famous all over the world by Sir Walter Scott (1771-1832). Therefore, it is believed that it was the British who spread the celebration of lovers' holidays all over the world.

2. Several cities in Poland admit to having a relic of St. Walenty, including Lublin, Kraków, and Chełmno. In each of them, on February 14, celebrations are organized in honor of the patron saint of lovers.

. An interesting fact is that Poland organizes the Valentine's Day celebrations, known as "Chełmno Valentine's Day". Due to the St. Of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary relics of St. Valentine, the local cult of St. Valentine with the Anglo-Saxon tradition.

4. The first piece of information, considered by some to be a reference to Valentine's Day, is found in the poem of 1382 - "The Parliament of Fowles" by Geoffrey Chaucer (the most famous work of this English poet and philosopher is "The Canterbury Tales") .

For this was on seynt Volantynys day

Whan euery bryd cometh there to chese his make. 

Some scholars believe that this may be the first mention of the February 14 holiday. However, as critics claim, February is not the season of bird mating in England, and Henry Ansgar Kelly notes that the poem "The Seym of Birds" was written on the occasion of the engagement of King Richard II of England and Anna Czaska (Anne of Bohemia) on May 2, 1381. that is, on the day dedicated to Saint Valentine, the Bishop of Genoa, in the liturgical calendar.

Ophelia:

Let's not talk about it anymore

but how will they ask you,

what does that mean, say:

Good morning, today is Saint Valentine.

It is just dawning;

The young man lies seated asleep,

And a big girl knocks on him.

The lover jumped, put on his garments,

The door opened in front of his one

And the girl entered the hut,

But the girl did not come out of the hut.

(Hamlet, Act IV Scene 5)

6. The most important place of worship of St. Valentine's Day is the basilica of his name in Terni, on the silver reliquary with the remains of the patron there is an inscription "Saint Valentine, the patron of love". Every year on the Sunday preceding February 14, couples from all over Italy and the world come to the basilica to make a vow of love. Spouses celebrating the 25th or 50th anniversary of the sacrament of marriage also gather here.

7. The American Greeting Card Association estimates that about one billion Christmas cards are sent worldwide on the occasion of Valentine's Day. This puts Valentine's Day in second place (behind Christmas) in the ranking of the holidays with the most wishes. About 85% of these wishes are sent by women.

8. Every year the famous Juliet from Shakespeare's drama "Romeo and Juliet" receives over 1,000 Valentine's Day. Cards and letters are sent to Verona, where Juliet's house and balcony are located.

Valentine's Day has been celebrated in southern and western Europe since the Middle Ages. In northern and eastern Europe, Valentine's Day began much later.

Despite the Catholic patron of this holiday, it is sometimes associated with a common practice from the Roman Empire, consisting mainly in searching for the chosen one, e.g. by drawing her name from a special urn. The modern-day lovers, however, is not directly related to one specific holiday of ancient Rome, although it is associated with such mythological figures as Cupid, Eros, Pan, or Juno Februata.

It is possible that the customs of this day refer to the ancient Roman festival called Lupercalia, celebrated on February 14-15 in honor of Juno, the Roman goddess of women and marriage, and the Lord, the god of nature.