Grave of the Fireflies

There are a lot of movies which refer to the Second World War and its catastrophe. Recently I have watched one of them directed by Isao Takahata and named “Grave of the Fireflies”. It is a Japanese animation created in 1988 and based on a 1967 semi-autobiographical story with the same title by Akiyuki Nosaka. 

The movie tells the story about two siblings Seita and Setsuko. The action is set in the city of Kobe in Japan during the last month of Second World War (to remind: Japan suffered from USA’s bombardment). After one of attack, their mother dies. As their father is a Capitan of the Japanese Navy, he can’t take care about his family, so children have to stay with their aunt. Since the family start to lose food supplies, their aunt become unbearable and malicious person. Seita decide to take his little sister and find new place. Also he find out that their father is dead. And then begins their struggle for survive which is full of sadness and powerlessness. 

I recommended it to watch and think a little about the love between siblings, the sacrifice and the nightmare of war. This story touched me to tears. I think that we should keep in mind the consequences of war and all of these cruel things it does. 

Notre-Dame de Paris

This time I want to briefly describe the history of Notre-Dame de Paris. Why did I choose this well-known and banal monument in Paris? Because when I was visiting this cathedral during my visit in Paris, it gave me more impression than I had expected. I wish I spent more time there. 

Firstly I would like to start with some basic history of the cathedral. Notre-Dame de Paris is a medieval building, created in 1163 (completed in 1345). It is situated on the Île de la Cité, in 4^th arrondissement of Paris. It is considered as the finest examples of French Gothic architecture. But during the French Revolution, Notre-Dame suffered the desecration from radical phase and later it had to be renovated. If it comes to the details of architecture, what is the most interesting for me are small strange creatures placed on the construction like gargoyles and chimeras. 

What I like about Notre-Dame is this special and magical atmosphere surrounding this place. When I was there, I could feel the spirit of the times. I thought about all this huge events in the history of France passing near the main door of the cathedral. In addition, try not to get hypnotize by watching this outstanding stained glass. It should be considered less just like a tourist attraction to check off the list and take a photo. For me it was exciting and magic experience.

To be honest I wrote it because I miss this place and recently I watched The Hunchback of Notre-Dame.