New Series: From Every Corner of the Earth

For the Summer of 2025, our new series is titled "From Every Corner of the Earth". This exciting series takes you on a captivating journey across the globe, exploring the diverse cultures, inventions, and unique stories that make our world so fascinating. Each story transports readers to a different corner of the earth, showcasing the rich tapestry of life on each continent. From the bustling markets of Marrakech to the rocky mountains of the United States, we'll explore the historical figures who called these places home.

This Summer, we'll learn the stories of these figures in a way we haven't seen before: up close, personal, and real.

First, we'll visit the breathtaking extremes of Russia- from the frozen expanse of the Siberian mountains to the buzzing streets of Moscow. This time, we'll embark on a deep dive into the lives of the Romanov family. The Romanovs were the last imperial dynasty to rule Russia, coming from a family of high-ranking aristocrats, holding the crown for over three centuries. During the dawn of the 20th century, the Russian Revolution, the radical socialist Bolsheviks seized power in Russia to establish what we now know as the first communist state. The imperial family was sent to live under house arrest in Siberia before their execution.

Many tall tales and legends surround the fate of the Romanovs, from rumors of surviving members to tales of hidden treasures. However, what many of these stories overlook is the humanity of these rulers. They were people- individuals with voices, feelings, fears. At the time of their execution, Tsar Nicholas was 50. Tsarina Alexandra was 40. Their daughters, Olga, Tatiana, Maria, and Anastasia were 22, 21, 19, and 17. Their son Alexei was 13 when he died. Each was either shot or bayoneted to death. The powerful telling of their final moments has inspired many portrayals in pop culture, but beyond these representations, we must remember the individual people behind the crowns and portraits. They should never be reduced to mere campfire stories or footnotes in history. Instead, we should honor their legacy by acknowledging their shared human experiences, which is exactly what we'll do in this series.

Our next figure will be Hatshepsut from Africa- one of the very few female pharaohs, often overlooked by Queen Cleopatra. Her rule during the 15th century BC is marked by immense peace, prosperity, and political success. She skillfully expanded Egypt's trade system, oversaw impressive architectural projects, and kept Egypt out of violence. Her reign redefined the perception of female leadership in Egypt and continues to inspire discussions about women's roles in leadership today. After her death, her stepson attempted to erase her from history, but despite this, Hatshepsut's legacy endures as a symbol of her bold strength and resilience, highlighting the significant impact just one woman can have on history.

Next, we are brought to Asia to celebrate Murasaki Shikibu, a Japanese novelist and poet. The author of The Tale of Genji is often considered the world's first-ever novelist. Murasaki's writing style combines rich imagery with deep psychological and emotional insight, making her characters both relatable on a personal level and monumental. Her work not only entertains but also serves as a historical document, shedding light on the customs, values, and political dynamics of her time. Her work as an author provides immense insight into the Heian period of Japan, her legacy enduring as an author, poet, and artist- a literary figure who inspires discussions about human conditioning, love, and power. But she is more than just words on paper- today, we honor her as one of the greatest authors in history, celebrating her unique voice and enduring impact on the world.

This summer, you have an incredible opportunity to spend fifteen minutes a week exploring these amazing continents and figures together, each with their own unique stories and legends waiting to be uncovered. Even if you're not packing your bags for France this summer, we hope you'll join us on this journey to remembering the humanity of these figures- so grab a bag of popcorn, find a cozy spot, and get ready to laugh, cry, and reflect as we dive into these extroadinary stories that will touch your heart and open your eyes to the world like never before.

See you soon.

Copyright by the Living Past Project 2025 ©