Young Fleur's adventures around the world. Book one. Françoise de Chambord

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      Every year we go to St. Petersburg. There are many beautiful poems, songs and legends written about the city. My grandmother loves St. Petersburg with all her heart and often talks to me about it. It was the Russian Emperor Peter the Great who built this capital city on the delta of the Neva River.

      In 1703 construction began with St. Petersburg’s fortress. The fortress and the city were named after the Emperor Peter and in honor of the Holy Apostle Peter. The wonderful project grew quickly, as if by magic. Petersburg is often called the Venice of the North because it has many rivers, canals and bridges. Citizens and tourists are happy to navigate the water in boats and river taxis to admire the spectacular views.

      My grandmother’s city is shrouded in all kinds of myths and secrets. Many come to life between June and August, during the White Nights, when a romantic twilight descends on the city and you do not want to sleep at all, unlike the darkness in the winter months. During the White Night we would travel under the snow-white sails of our boat down the Neva River through the Gulf of Finland to make our way to the shores of Finland. On the boat my brother has a compass, a telescope and a dagger. When he steps on the deck, he straight away becomes the real captain.

      The entire historical centre of St. Petersburg is included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the Hermitage (Winter Palace). A long time ago, this magnificent palace was the residence of the Russian emperors, and now it is a famous museum. The noun hermitage has origins in the French word hermit, meaning “hermit,” a person who lives alone, far from society. Hermitage can describe the place where a hermit lives, or a dwelling occupied by an isolated religious group that prefers solitude.

      Don’t believe the name… There are over three million exhibits in its collection. You are never bored! And when grandmother suggests going to the museum, we gladly agree. Both my brother and I love to visit the Hermitage, so we become very “obedient” amazingly quickly.

      Holding hands, we go up the wide, red-carpeted white marble staircase. The huge granite columns open into the spacious halls and endless galleries. So many pictures! I soon find what interests me. How beautiful are the fluffy dresses and silk shoes the ladies wear in the old portraits. I wish I could try these clothes on! I imagine I am a little princess. Meanwhile my brother pulls grandmother by the hand into the hall to see the armour and weapons of medieval knights.

      There’s even a collection of armour for war horses! We dressed up in medieval costumes which my brother had made especially for visiting the knight’s hall. My grandmother always supports her beloved grandson and encourages his passion for creating new roles. She’d find special theater workshops which designed unique costumes together. A year later my older brother began to play in youth productions of the Royal Theater in Covent Garden London, but for now he spends hours telling me about the famous military victories and valiant warriors.

      Back in the Hermitage is an entire division of little four-legged workers with tails. Of course, these are the Hermitage cats! Each Ermik (that’s the name given to the museum pets) has their own passport and personal veterinary card. The cute animals control and annoy the museum mice.

      In the very heart of the city, on Architect Rossi Street, is one of the real pearls of St. Petersburg – the Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet, it is one of the oldest ballet schools and enjoys worldwide recognition. I always wanted to dance like a ballerina to classical music.

      On one of the wonderful days before Christmas, we were taken to the Mariinsky Theater to see the Nutcracker ballet. It is based on the fairy tale by Hoffmann. At home, my grandmother read us the ballet libretto, so we learnt about the plot and the characters, and the story was very clear to us. The luxurious sets and costumes, the brave prince and the evil Mouse King – in fact all of this impressed my brother. I did not take my eyes off the ballet’s main character, Marie, who is gentle and noble. She was delightfully graceful and beautiful, and her pointe shoes barely touched the ground! That night I danced to Tchaikovsky’s magical music in my dreams.

      From then onwards I danced everywhere, and my parents enrolled me in a ballet club. It turned out that dancing is a serious job, but sometimes I just wanted to frolic with my friends. At such moments, my parents gently remind me about my dream. My ballet shoes mustn’t be neglected, and the games can wait!

      Recently the whole family watched the animated film “Ballerina”, which is about a girl from an orphanage. She had only one dream – to dance on the stage of the Grand Opera. To this end she trained very hard. Maybe I’m too naive, but I believe in my dream and know that anything is possible. My grandmother says: “If you really want something, you will succeed.”

      I know that my loved ones always support me, and this is the most important thing…

      Chapter 3. A taste of Paris