We publish books that matter — narrative and literary nonfiction on important topics, and the best of local, international, and translated fiction.

Join renowned historian Helen Rappaport for an event around her brand new book After the Romanovs – the story of the Russian aristocrats, artists, and intellectuals who sought refuge in Belle Epoque Paris.

From the time of Peter the Great, Paris was the playground of the tsarist aristocracy. But the fall of the Romanov dynasty in 1917 forced Russians of all types to flee their homeland. Leaving with only the clothes on their backs, many came to France's glittering capital.

Paris was no longer an amusement, but a refuge where former princes could be seen driving taxicabs, while their wives found work in the fashion houses, and where their unique Russian style inspired designers such as Coco Chanel. Talented intellectuals, artists, poets, philosophers, and writers eked out a living at menial jobs, while others found great success. Nijinsky, Diaghilev, Bunin, Chagall, and Stravinsky joined Picasso, Hemingway, James Joyce, and Gertrude Stein in the creative crucible of the Annees folles.

As Helen discusses this evening, this is a relatively little known side of Paris between the wars, and rarely acknowledged in histories of the Russian Revolution.

All welcome for what promises a fascinating and insightful evening!

For more information and to book your ticket visit the event website here.