Keys of Time: Why the Story of "The Piano" Resounds in Silence.

Sviatoslav Cherniy is known as the author of "Warm Stories" - collections of short, emotionally rich prose that focus on important life values, dreams, love, and everyday miracles.

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The story "The Piano" by Svyatoslav Cherny

"The Piano" is not a musical work, but a short story included in his popular collection "Warm Stories of a Dreamer" (2015).

What is this piece about?

The story "The Piano" is a deeply lyrical, nostalgic, and philosophical work that uses the piano as a symbol of the past, memory, and connection between generations.

• Central image: An old piano (perhaps a piano) becomes the main character around which memories and reflections unfold.

• Topic: The author is probably thinking about how the things around us retain memory of the people who used them. A silent piano is filled not only with the past sounds of music, but also with stories and emotions.

• Style: Like all of Černij's work, the story is written in a very sensual, light, and meditative manner, which encourages reflection on the non-routineness and beauty of everyday life.

The piano in the context of the story is a metaphor that helps the author talk about important things like growing up, family values, and how time changes our perception of the world.

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Who is Svyatoslav Cherniy?

Sviatoslav Cherniy is a modern Ukrainian writer, originally from Ternopil.

• He received a Master's degree in Political Science from the Jagiellonian University (Kraków).

• His works are often motivational, kind, and full of faith and dreams.

• His most famous books are: "Warm Stories of a Dreamer", "Warm Stories for Her", and the children's fairy tale "The Adventures of the Khobotovichs. How Elephants Traveled to Ukraine".

The story "The Piano" is great for relaxation, as it is quiet, cozy, and creates a warm, melancholic atmosphere.

Excerpts from the story "The Piano"

Here are a few key fragments that best convey the melancholic mood, piano symbolism, and authorial style:

1. On silence and memory

This excerpt emphasizes that an instrument that is silent still retains the history and memories of the music that was once played on it:

"Over the years, it fell silent. The keys turned yellow, and the case became covered with the patina of time. No one threw it away or sold it. It simply stood in the living room as a mute witness to the past. But those who knew felt that music still lives in it. Not the kind that sounds, but the kind that is stored like old wine. It waits for someone to touch the keys, and then it bursts out again."

2. On the connection between generations

The piano acts as a bridge connecting the narrator to his childhood and family:

"Grandfather used to say that every sound you make on a piano leaves its mark on the wood. Even when you make a mistake, your mistake is part of the instrument's history. I would often go up to it and run my hand over the lacquered surface. It seemed to me that I could hear the echoes of my grandfather's fingers, his melodies, his laughter. It was the only object in the house that didn't change while everything around it changed."

3. A closing quote about the essence of the tool

Perhaps the most philosophical thought, revealing that the true value of a piano is not in its physical condition, but in its soul:

"A piano is not just an instrument. It is a repository of thoughts, dreams, and tears. It never plays false, only a person can fake it. Even if its strings are rusted and the keys are sinking, its soul remains pure. It waits. Waiting for someone who is not afraid to touch its story to write their own."

From the throne to the schema

Igor Olgovich, Prince of Chernihiv and Kyiv

Introduction

The monument to Prince Igor Ol'govich (baptized as George, †1147) in Chernihiv commemorates one of the most brilliant and at the same time most tragic rulers of the Kievan Rus' era. Igor Ol'govich was the son of Oleg Svyatoslavich, grandson of Grand Duke Svyatoslav Yaroslavich, and a representative of the powerful branch of the Chernihiv Ol'govich family. Known for his short reign in Kiev and his martyrdom, he was canonized by the Orthodox Church as Holy Prince Igor of Chernihiv and Kiev.

Historical context

Igor Ol'govych was the last prince to sit on the Kiev throne for only two weeks (in 1146), after which he was overthrown and imprisoned. His tragic death at the hands of the people of Kyivans in 1147 was caused by the internecine struggle for power between the Ol'govychs and the Mstislavichs.

Saint Igor is revered as a symbol of humility and renunciation of worldly power: before his death, he took the schema at the Fedorov Monastery in Kyiv. His relics were later transferred to the Transfiguration Cathedral in Chernihiv.

He is called a martyr and was canonized for his tragic and brutal death at the hands of an angry mob after he renounced power and took monastic vows.

Martyr's Death

Igor Olgovich ascended the throne of Kiev in 1146 after the death of his brother Vsevolod, but his reign lasted only two weeks. The people of Kiev, who disliked the Olgovich family, rose up and supported another prince, Izyaslav Mstislavich.

1. Captivity and Schema: Igor lost the battle, was captured, and was imprisoned in a "porub" (a cold wooden log cabin). Having become seriously ill, he asked permission to be tonsured a monk and took the schema under the name Gabriel in the Kiev Feodorov Monastery.

2. A Brutal Murder: A year later, in 1147, Igor's brother Svyatoslav Olgovich opposed the new Kiev prince Izyaslav. The enraged Kievans, having gathered for a council, decided that Igor, even as a monk, still posed a threat, since his family continued to fight for the Kiev throne. The crowd burst into the church, seized Igor during a service, brutally beat him, and then, tying a rope to his feet, drag his body through the streets of Kiev and left it in the market square.

He died not as a warrior, but as an unarmed monk (schema monk), which became the basis for recognizing him as a martyr (or, more precisely, a passion-bearer, since he accepted death not for renouncing his faith, but at the hands of his compatriots during a civil war, demonstrating Christian humility and renunciation of struggle).

Reasons for Canonization

Prince Igor Olgovich was canonized as a faithful (rulers who distinguished themselves by their righteous lives) and passionate (saints who accepted martyrdom at the hands of their own or for political reasons, and not at the hands of non-believers).

Main reasons:

• Martyrdom: His death at the hands of an angry mob after taking monastic vows and renouncing worldly struggle was regarded as an innocent and martyred sacrifice, and the prince himself as a sufferer.

• Early Veneration: Soon after the murder, according to the chronicles, the people realized that an innocent man had been killed. His rapid local veneration as a saint and martyr began.

• Transfer of the Relics: In 1150, his relics were solemnly transferred by his brother Svyatoslav to Chernihiv (to the Transfiguration Cathedral), which was a powerful impetus to his universal church recognition.

• Dynastic Factor: For the Chernihiv princes of the Olgovichi, the canonization of a member of their dynasty was an important factor in strengthening the authority of the family.

He is revered as Holy, Faithful Grand Prince Igor of Chernigov and Kyiv, Wonderworker.

Location and description of the monument

The monument is located in the historical center of Chernihiv, on the territory of the ancient Val (Chernihiv Dytynets), not far from the Catherine Church and the Transfiguration Cathedral. This place was not chosen by chance, because it is here that his family tomb and key buildings from the time of his reign are located.

• Composition: The prince is depicted in full length, in a combative, but at the same time restrained princely attire.

• Symbolism: His pose expresses the nobility and grandeur of the ruler. The monument emphasizes his dual status - both as a secular ruler (prince) and as a holy martyr.

In 1150, Prince Novgorod-Siversky Svyatoslav Olgovich transferred the relics of his brother to Chernihiv and placed them in the Transfiguration Cathedral.
During the Mongol-Tatar invasion of Russia (1237-1240), the relics of Prince Igor, together with the casket, were hidden by the Chernihiv people under the foundation of the cathedral to avoid desecration, where they are still located. All attempts to raise the casket with the relics up did not bring the desired result due to the danger of the collapse of the bearing wall of the cathedral. The casket with the relics of Saint Igor is located under the spud, probably near the northern wall.

Values

The monument to Igor Ol'govich is part of the integral historical and cultural complex of Chernihiv. It performs several important functions:

1. Perpetuation of memory: Recalls the heyday of the Chernihiv Principality, which was one of the most powerful centers of Kyivan Rus.

2. Religious aspect: He is revered as Holy and Faithful Grand Prince Igor of Chernigov and Kyiv, Wonderworker.

3. Tourist attraction: Included in the mandatory route along the historic Val.

Coffee, cinnamon and calm

Nadiya Gerbish: A writer whose stories smell of coffee, cinnamon, and comfort ☕

Candy for the Soul: Why Her Books Are Your Book Therapy

Do you know what a comforting book is? The one you open when the street is gray and your heart is sad? If you are looking for just that, then it's time for you to get to know Nadiya Gerbish, a Ukrainian writer whose work has become synonymous with warmth and quiet wisdom.

Let's start with the main thing. These words, like a hug, can stop time and remind you of what is important:

"Life is not a rehearsal. It's time to stop living on a blueprint. Don't delay kindness, don't delay gratitude, don't delay hugs."

These are not just phrases, this is a philosophy of life that Nadiyka Herbish gives to her readers. She offers us not just reading, but a real book therapy that embraces and soothes. If you are looking for a book that will help you breathe and remind you of simple but important things, then this is it.

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Style that makes you fall in love: The anatomy of warmth and sincerity

The main secret of Nadiya's popularity is her ability to talk about difficult things through the prism of kindness. What makes her style unique?

1. "Heart-to-heart talk" and sincerity

Her prose is short essays and sketches, written as sincerely and trustingly as if you were having coffee with your best friend. She doesn't lecture, but shares her own experiences and feelings, creating a special intimacy with the reader.

“It’s important to be able to be kind to yourself when you’re feeling down. Because if not you, then who? Sometimes you just have to allow yourself to be weak.”

2. The Cult of Details and Sensations

In her stories, every little thing that creates an atmosphere is important: the smell of cinnamon, the creak of a wooden floor, the warmth of a cup in your hands. These details are not just a background, they create the effect of complete immersion in a world where peace reigns. Nadejka shows how these small moments create great happiness.

"Gratitude, gratitude, and gratitude again. It's the only language the soul can speak when things don't go according to plan."

3. Depth instead of superficiality

Don't let the "warm" titles fool you. Behind this coziness, Herbisch hides real life wisdom. She writes about accepting one's own imperfections, the power of forgiveness, the importance of faith, and finding oneself.

"Some people leave footprints in this world with big shoes, some with small ones. But the most important thing is the footprint you leave in someone's heart."

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Where to start? Iconic books by Nadiya Gerbish

If you're ready for this literary journey, here are a few key works to get you started.

• "Warm stories for coffee"

  This is the perfect start. A collection of short, inspiring sketches that have become a real bestseller. It's like a collection of the best life advice, presented with love. They are perfect to read one at a time in the morning or before bed for a positive mood.

• "Warm stories for chocolate"

  A continuation of the series, offering even more comfort and philosophical reflections on relationships, family and friendship. If you liked coffee, then chocolate will be a great addition.

• "Journeys with the Magic Atlas"

  A great book if your audience is reading to children. It's about travel, discovering the world, embracing other cultures, and of course, adventure. It's a great way to open up the world to a child through the lens of kindness.

• "Once Upon a Christmas"

  A collection full of Christmas spirit. Perfect for creating a festive mood, even if the holidays are still far away. A reminder that miracles happen when you wait for them.

Don't put off comfort for later

Nadiyka Gerbish's books are the anchor that helps you find peace in the hustle and bustle, and the candy that you want to taste again and again to feel the sweetness of life. They remind you: happiness is in the simple things that we often miss.

Which of her stories or quotes has warmed your heart? Share your thoughts in the comments!

Similar is the soul that writes about love and life on the banks of the Bosphorus and the Caspian

Elchin Safarli: An Eastern Soul Who Writes About Love and Life on the Shores of the Bosphorus and the Caspian

Introduction

Elchin Safarli (Azerbaijani: Elçin Səfərli) is a modern Azerbaijani writer and journalist who writes in Russian. His prose is filled with the atmosphere of the East, deep emotions and philosophical reflections, quickly found a response in the hearts of readers, especially women, who make up a significant part of his audience. Safarli is often called a "literary discovery" for his distinctive, lyrical, and sensual style.

Invitation quote: “When you put love into desire, many things are possible.” (Elchin Safarli)

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Biography and formation

Elchin Safarli was born on March 12, 1984 in Baku, Azerbaijan SSR. His path to writing started quite early, he realized early on that his calling was in the stories he began to publish under pseudonym in youth newspapers. From the age of 16 he actively worked in print media and studied at the faculty journalism. For a long time, Safarli lived in Istanbul, which had a fundamental impact on his early creativity. A professional journalist and winner of a number of literary competitions, Safarli eventually devoted himself entirely to himself to writing, making the word, which heals and inspires, his main tool.

Quote about life: “Be who you are. Live with the one who loves you. And love the one who "Who is with you?" (From the novel "They Promised Me You")

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Creativity and Main Themes

Elchin Safarli's creative output consists of more than a dozen novels and collections of short stories. His books dedicated to the topic of Eastern traditions, culture, everyday life, deep love, self-knowledge, finding happiness in simple things things and the ability to thank life.

Key works with quotes

1. “Sweet Salt of the Bosphorus” (“Sladkaya sol Bosphoru”, 2008) — Debut novel, which brought him wide recognition. In it, he first expressed his love for Istanbul.

   Quote from the book: “Only those who have gone through separation know how much "close encounter."

2. “There Without Return” (“There Without Return”, 2008) — A story about a Russian a girl who ended up in Istanbul.

   Quote from the book: “Love is the ability to find happiness in the details that are "others mean nothing."

3. “Recipes of Happiness” (“Recipes of Happiness”, 2013) — A kind of “diary of an oriental "cookbook", where life stories, wise advice and culinary recipes are intertwined.

   Quote from the book: “Happiness is when you are at home. And home is not a place, but a state souls."

4. “Tell me about the sea” (“Расскажи мне о море”, 2016) — A book dedicated to to his native Azerbaijan and Baku, where the author reflects on his complex but important relationship with Homeland.

   Quote from the book: “The sea is all that remains of our tears. And it never "does not miss."

5. “When I return, be home” (“When I return, be home”, 2017) — Reflections on eternity, life, death, and the need to have a place where you always want to return.

   Quote from the book: "Home is where you don't owe anyone anything." explain."

6. “The House Where the Light Burns” (“The House Where the Light Burns”, 2019) — Lyrical prose that calls for seeking light and goodness within oneself and around oneself, despite life's adversities.

   Quote from the book: “The most important thing is not to forget the light within yourself, even if "There is darkness all around."

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Style and Philosophy

Safarli's prose is distinguished by its lyricism, sensuality, and deep philosophical overtones. His texts are filled with warmth, melancholy and emotion, and his style is often called "therapeutic." He skillfully recreates the flavor of the East, its smells, sounds and a special philosophy of life. His books always contain reflections on eternal values, finding one's place and accepting fate.

A statement about the main thing: “Everything that happens to us, we do for the sake of love. Even when it seems like everything is the other way around." (From the novel "If You Knew...")

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Conclusion: A Philosophy Woven from Words

Elchin Safarli is the voice of the modern East in literature, who speaks about the most important things: about love, home, memory and that simple but profound philosophy that teaches you to appreciate what you have. His books are not just stories, but real diaries of the soul that inspire and warm, like warm tea on the seashore. His prose is a call for inner peace and finding meaning in ordinary things.

The writer's final call and wisdom:

"Don't close your heart to the new. The best thing we can do is learn to be happy here." and now."

“Life is like a small blanket: if you pull it up, your feet will freeze, if you pull it down, your head will freeze. He who knows how to live, who curls up." (From the novel "I Want to Go Home")

“You shouldn’t explain who you are to someone who doesn’t see it. You’re wasting time, you’re losing yourself.”

"The worst thing is when you want to forget, but you can't, because memory is stronger than you."

"Everything begins with a desire - to love, to forgive, to understand. And then life begins."

If you feel a connection with this sensual and wise prose, we encourage you to delve into the world of Yelchin. Safarli is deeper.

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How to Get to Know the Author Better (Final Proofreading)

For readers who wish to follow the life and new ideas of Elchin Safarli, we recommend his main communication channels:

• Instagram (Main channel):

  • Nickname to search for: @elchinsafarli

• Telegram channel:

  • Recommendation: Search directly in the Telegram app by nickname @elchinsafarli or check the current link in his "cap" Instagram profile.

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Where to read and buy Elchin Safarli's books in Ukraine

Elchin Safarli's works are widely available in Ukrainian publishing houses, as his books have been translated in Ukrainian.

Here are some reliable sources for purchasing his publications:

1. Publishing house "BookChef": This publishing house publishes many of his works in Ukrainian. On their website you can find a full list of available books, such as "When I I'll be back, be home", "Tell me about the sea", "The house where the light shines" and others.

   • Search query: "BookChef Elchin Safarli"

2. Online bookstore "Nash Format": Many of his works are also presented here in Ukrainian.

   • Search query: "Our Format Elchin Safarli"

3. Bookstores "Е" and "Yakaboo": The largest Ukrainian book platforms, where it Books are available for order in both Ukrainian and Russian.

   • Search query: "Ye Elchin Safarli Bookstore" or "Yakaboo Elchin Safarli"

Please note: since direct links in the chat have proven unreliable, we recommend entering the specified search queries directly on Google or on the websites of the relevant bookstores.

Storks

Vladimir Vysotsky "Storks"

"The sky is clear this day,

But now the armor is clanking in it.
And there is a roar across our land,
And the trees are covered in resin - they are sad.
Smoke and the ashes rise like crosses,
The storks don't build nests on the roofs.

The ear of corn is the color of amber, will we make it in time?
No! It turns out we sowed in vain.
What's that amber-colored glow there?
It's a fire raging in the field.
Everyone has scattered away from troubles.
There are no more songbirds - crows.

And the trees in dust - towards autumn,
Those that could sing - have abandoned.
And love is not for us. Right?
What's more needed now? Hatred.
Smoke and ash rise like crosses,
There are no nests on the roofs the storks are whirring.

The forest rustles, as always, with its crowns,
And the earth and water - with groans.
But miracles are inevitable - the forest calls with pre-war sounds.
Everyone has fled to the East to escape their troubles,
There are no more songbirds, no more storks.

The air holds different sounds,
But now it thunders and clangs.
Even the clatter of hooves - with a stomp,
If someone screams - in a whisper.
Everyone has fled to the East to escape their troubles,
And there are no storks above the rooftops."

Inhabited island

"Inhabited Island": Review

Inhabited Island is a science fiction novel by the Strugatsky brothers, written in 1969, which is often called one of the pinnacles of their creativity and an important work in the genre of social science fiction.

Plot:

The main character, earthling Maxim Kammerer, crashes on an unknown planet, which the locals call Saraksh. Outwardly, the planet resembles Earth, but Maxim soon discovers its ominous features. Saraksh society lives under the strict control of the "Unknown Fathers" – anonymous rulers who maintain their power through a complex system of propaganda and, most importantly, emitter towers.

"Propaganda Towers" (Emitters):

These towers emit special waves that affect the brains of residents, suppressing their will, critical thinking, and ability to independently analyze. Once a day, the radiation intensifies, causing in the majority of the population an attack of euphoria and unconditional loyalty to the government, and in the "degenerates" - attacks of unbearable pain and agony. Thus, the emitters serve as a powerful tool for mass zombification and elimination of dissidents.

Main idea:

The novel explores the themes of free will, totalitarianism, mind control, and the struggle for humanism. Maxim, as a person with a developed individuality and a lack of reaction to radiation, becomes a witness and participant in the resistance to the system. He faces moral dilemmas and realizes how fragile freedom and reason can be under the pressure of a powerful propaganda machine.

"Inhabited Island" is not just an adventure novel, but a profound philosophical work that warns about the possible paths of social development under the yoke of unfreedom and the importance of maintaining critical thinking.

This is one of the most recognizable images in their work, which is still very relevant today.

Mancourt

The mankurt is a character that became widely known thanks to Chingiz Aitmatov's novel "The Stormy Stop" (or "And the Day Lasts Longer Than a Hundred Years").

In the novel, a mankurt is a person forcibly deprived of the memory of their past, their family, culture, and history. They are slaves, transformed into mindless, submissive creatures who remember only their master's orders and are unaware of their former identity.

The process of becoming a mankurt (according to Aitmatov):

Aitmatov's work describes a brutal torture used by the Zhuanzhuang (an ancient nomadic tribe) on captives. A "shiri"—a piece of fresh camel skin—was placed on the captive's head. Under the scorching sun, the skin dried, shriveled, and compressed the head, causing unbearable pain. This resulted in memory loss and the transformation of the captive into a weak-willed slave, a mankurt.

Symbolism of the image:

The image of the mankurt has transcended the realm of fiction and become a household word. It symbolizes:

• Loss of historical memory: A person or people who have forgotten their roots, culture, traditions, and history.
• Rejection of national identity: Separation from one's own identity and acceptance of foreign values ​​without critical reflection.
• Ideological indoctrination: The forced imposition of alien ideas, leading to the loss of one's own self.
• Submissive and Thoughtless: A person who becomes easily manipulated and incapable of independent thought.

Thus, the "mankurt" in the modern sense is not just a character in a novel, but a profound cultural and social symbol of a person deprived of memory and self-awareness, which makes him a convenient tool in the hands of others.