Russian Exiles in Paris | Helen Rappaport

Helen Rappaport, bestselling author of "The Race to Save the Romanovs" and "The Romanov Sisters: The Lost Lives of the Daughters of Nicholas and Alexandra," discusses her latest research on the Russian émigré community in Paris.
Watch as we explore the cultural milieu and influence of former aristocrats and members of the Russian diaspora as embodied in new roles and day-to-day life. Many of the Russian pre-revolutionary intelligentsia who were forced to abandon their homeland after the 1917 Revolution found work as taxi-cab drivers and seamstresses.
Some hoped to return to Russia. Many never did.
Learn more in this lecture by Helen Rappaport, author of "After the Romanovs: Russian Exiles in Paris from the Belle Époque Through Revolution and War," including the stories of Ballets Russes, Marc Chagall, Ernest Hemingway, Grand Duke Paul Romanov and Princess Olga Paley, Prince Felix Yusupov and Princess Irina Alexandrovna Romanov.
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Timestamps:
0:00-59:40 "After the Romanovs: Russian Exiles in Paris"
59:45 Live Q&A session
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This video was originally presented on March 19th, 2022. The "Second Saturday" lecture series is supported in part with federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds allocated to the New York State Library by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).
#HelenRappaport #Paris #Refugees #fashionhistory #artandculture #balletsrusses #Romanovs #russianroyals #culturalhistory #museumvisit

[@virginiasoskin9082]

I read Rock Brynner's book, Empire and Odyssey, a bio of his father, Yul Brynner. He came from western Russia and after the revolution was singing in Parisian nightclubs with gypsy bands. He eventually made his way to the US, began directing early TV shows, and wound up in Hollywood. His early life is very interesting in Vladivostok and Harbin. He was part Kalmuk on his mother's side. If you want a good book about Russia before, during and after the Revolution, and how that affected just one family, check this one out.

[@RussianHistoryMuseum]

Thanks for the recommendation, Virginia! We recently came across a photo of Yul Brynner's sister, Vera, in our collection. She was a performer in her own right, albeit not as well-known as her brother.

[@eliasmokbel1638]

I've recently bought a book written by Henri Troyat, entitled "Aliocha" that speaks about a Russian boy immigrant in Paris of the 1920s. So I find this nice and interesting lecture by Dr. Rappaport a genuine introduction, and it fascinates me how big the extent of Russian influence was in Paris at that time. Thank you.

[@exaudi33]

Thank you for this wonderful lecture. What a treat! I have loved Dr. Rappaport's books on the Romanovs and the Revolution and immediately ordered After The Romanovs and The Italics Are Mine just now. I was introduced to Imperial Russia as a little girl by a White Russian riding instructor, an extraordinary person. Distinguished, elegant, a walking history lesson. Then I read Nicholas & Alexandra when I was 13 and that was it. I have since read all I could about Imperial history. A Russophile of English/Spanish descent who also knows a bit about displacement, that's me. Thank you, Dr. Rapport, for all of your amazing books, your hard work, and your brilliance! You have brought history to life for me and so greatly enriched my understanding.

[@michaelmargaona1622]

I was born in Cuba n can identify w the russians n their suffering during the revolution...it affected my family n myself very strongly. What i wanted to tell you about was an episode that happened in one of the last parties given in our mansion in Havana...i was a little boy n not really allowed to be among the crowded rooms filled w people all wonderfully dressed...it was a beautiful warm night n night was filled w laughter n clicking of glases n as all this was going on i was still dressed n not been gotten ready to go to bed n nanny was busy somewhere so i went the marble steps that currved around n which on the very a huge dome hung above it all...quite pressive...no one noticed me except one of the maids but she was too busy plus it was not her place to stop me...i got down just walked among people all saying n who is this? Stuff like that...n there before me in a tall confortable chair sat a most amazing woman i ever saw..she was tall,impressive,sitting ramrod straight,her hair black w shdes of gray done up w pearls or jewels i dont know what...she wore a drop dead gorgeous gown of black sheer sort of satin w lines of green that shined w light n it covered her to her ankles w beautful shoes..the dress at the neck opened imto like a v neck to reveal a large bust n she wore a set of large necklases of gorgeous white pearls as i nevet seen that went down to her waist...she had a beautiful face..very pale,roman nose n black eyes.n small mouth n a small fan in her delicate hands w dismond rings...i just there looking at her n she was the only one in that room...i wide eye starec at her i remembered n bowed very slowly which i dont know why i did that.. Suddenly she broke into a smile n streched her hand out motioned to me to come closer n she ask my name n she told me who she was n told me i was a special little boy n would never suffer from want...she paid attention to me n my parents were asked questions about me from her and they were very impressed n i felt so special n then i jad to go to bed n she gave me a kiss n said good night n as i was take upstairs by nanny i voulnt take my eyes off of her smiling n her gaze followed me till i went upstairs... I never forgot that ...i later found out she was a russian princess who was living in Cuba in exile forany years...she later married my godfather who was an opera singer n thats all i know...so thats my experience w russian emigrees but a great one.. She was one hell of a woman .had presence like mo other person i ever met..superior in every way.. Leaked class from every pore.. And i still wonder ..why did i bow? Was it instinct? Is that why she took a liking to me? As if among all those people i knew who she was and treated her accordingly...never know.

[@virginiasoskin9082]

Thank you Helen, for this wonderful lecture. Now to find your book. I have read most of your books and find them full of information, insights, corrections to historical records, etc. Thank you for your huge body of work. I am a 71 year old former art teacher, who became interested in Russian history after reading Massie's Nicholas and Alexandra back in college at least 50 years ago. As an amateur historian I have read many books on Russian history, particularly the Romanovs and other nobility in Russia and their relatives from Victoria to Kaiser Wilhelm. I was able to go to St. Petersburg as a tourist about 10 years ago and we had a MARVELOUS time seeing as many palaces, churches and museums as we could in 8 days. I would love to visit there again but the political situation makes that impossible. I wish Russia had a democratic government because Russia could have one heck of a tourist industry if they could be democratic and get rid of all the corruption. Oh, well, at least we got to visit once. I also like Russian culture -- dance, folk art, literature, poetry, architecture. There is much to learn.

[@theotigge8336]

You say Russia is undemocratic ? How brainwashed and ignorant you are!!!!!

[@rw9175]

Always ADORE her books....AFTER THE ROMANOVS sounds another JOY....A sad topic yes....But her writing is so well researched and presented....Even with vision issues....I want to buy this book....This is a very sorry time for Russia and her neighbors....the Ukrainians in particular....but we must HOPE that our BETTER ANGELS will appear soon....!

[@rodjarrow6575]

Ukrainians are not Russia's neighbors, because Ukraine is the original Russia, all Ukrainians are Russian by nationality, with the exception of the dollar power of the Jews, whom Washington and London have put in the chairs of the puppet government of Ukraine today! Washington and London have been building anti-Russia on the territory of Ukraine for 30 years. As a result, it will end badly for Ukraine and for Washington and London as well! Because Ukraine is the original Russia

[@22marketst]

Fascinating Helen ! I have done some research in the past about Sophie Fedorovitch who was Polish but spent quite a lot of her youth in Russia studying art. She managed to escape Russia via Finland and before living later in London and becoming the successful ballet set and costume designer had done the hard yards in Paris herself as a taxi driver. What struck me about this era of great foment was the durability and adaptability of women of all classes in the face of great upheaval and horror and as you say there is still the great sadness of it all ... I cannot help but think now of Ukraine.

[@rodjarrow6575]

Because Ukraine is the original Russia, which has been turned into anti-Russia by Russophobic politicians from Washington and London, who have nurtured the puppet oligarchic power of the dollar on the territory of Ukraine for the last 30 years

[@OLIVCHEN77]

Thank you. Listen to Madame Rappaport is always interessting and a pleasure.

[@RussianHistoryMuseum]

Thanks for watching! www.russianhistorymuseum.org/join-mailing-list/

[@catpers1000]

I just finished this book. Thoroughly enjoyed it. This lecture really compliments it.

[@RussianHistoryMuseum]

We're glad you enjoyed Helen's lecture! Join our mailing list to stay updated on future programs you may also like: www.russianhistorymuseum.org/join-mailing-list/. PS- We can't wait to read the book!

[@carolannemckenzie3849]

Thank you Helen. I look forward to buying your book.

[@RussianHistoryMuseum]

Carol, thank you for watching! We hope you'll join us for next month's lecture: www.russianhistorymuseum.org/event/art-chinese-style-elisabeth/

[@nicolaskotschoubey450]

Thank you for that excellent presentation.

[@RussianHistoryMuseum]

Thanks for watching, Nicolas! We hope you will join us for future lectures: www.russianhistorymuseum.org/events/

[@heatherrichmond2984]

@@RussianHistoryMuseum ❤

[@dmitriypismenyuk7310]

What a wonderful lecture and so we'll illustrated. Thank you for so much information presented with care. Unfortunately we were never taught about any of it.

[@user-qh4ij4ut1f]

Madam Helen Rappaport, I thank you for the beautiful work you did. Your books are very important to me. With best regards to you , Ewelina Wiszczun

[@michaelcrenshaw3099]

Wonderful lecture!! Thank you!

[@RussianHistoryMuseum]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching. Hope you will subscribe and watch some of our other videos.

[@MrIvorfan]

Thank you so very much indeed for such a fascinating account of the Russian emigration in Paris after the Bolshevik Revolution. Although I had some prior knowledge, most of what I have seen and heard here today was new to me. I am in awe of Dr. Rappaport’s scholarship, and the homely enthusiasm with which she communicates it.

[@RussianHistoryMuseum]

Thank you for the feedback! We're glad you enjoyed the lecture.

[@cliveuckfield5139]

Fascinating history

[@nyb101]

“The constantly wanted to know what is going on home” is so disrespectful I don’t find words

[@CassCassidy-qs3gx]

Thank you

[@katherinekoenemann4351]

Fascinating video.

[@RussianHistoryMuseum]

Thanks, Katherine! We agree- so much information and many compelling moments. www.russianhistorymuseum.org/events/

[@ellendelaney8109]

Really informative and interesting thank you

[@RussianHistoryMuseum]

We appreciate the support, Ellen! www.russianhistorymuseum.org/events/

[@barbarawissinger]

I enjoyed the audiobook. Nevertheless, the preference of Paris over Berlin or London was a bit overplayed.

[@kosher333]

London was too expensive, Berlin too german

[@DrJoySmithMaxwell]

Let's not forget that French was the lingua franca among the aristocracy before English was the 'it' language. So, it stands to reason that the first waves of bourgeois immigré would naturally gravitate towards France, where they could more easily communicate. That & the fact that they had previous holidaying experience in France would make it a perfectly natural choice for a temporary stay, as it were in their imagination. The exception being the German speaking family connections of some of the aristocrats/colonists!

[@gildaslesourd9140]

Merciiii

[@debralittle1341]

I can't begin to imagine how terribly difficult it was.for all those people to leave their homes and everything else. Would they have had a chance to prepare to leave or did everything happen too quickly?

[@marinaburrell6613]

I hope the author meant to say Olga Khokhlova as Picasso’s first wife, not Lyunov Yegorova (@48:36)

[@frenchartantiquesparis424]

KusMi Tea is the best, and probably one of the most expensive teas of Paris;..

[@RussianHistoryMuseum]

Mmmm, Kusmi tea ☕! We recently received some antique Russian tea tins from a donor. A few of them are from Kousmichoff tea.

[@stuartjenkins1734]

Great post

[@RussianHistoryMuseum]

Thanks for joining us, Stuart! www.russianhistorymuseum.org/events/

[@newhorizon4066]

How refreshing, finally an "upstairs/downstairs" look at the lower deck of the "Romanovs" nostalgia ship...The soul of each wave of emigration, ie their culture, ways of life, etc. always is the first to disperse. Those who carried it on their shoulder were already at mid-life when they left their shore, and being the first generation on the new land, they had to make great sacrifice for the next one. The culture of "packed suitcases" is truly a phenomenon. One "recent" example is the VNmese boat people, they prospered rapidly, central gathering spot being the land of milk and honey, ie California USA, with tremendous support by the American government. But "South VN," not as a country - which was already "lost" - but as a culture, a history, a people, evaporated along with the passing of those first emigrants. It now exists only in the mind of those who are still alive, such as yours truly. Thank you so much for this wonderful lecture, totally enjoyable.

[@jennifernunez1443]

I’m watching Bridges of Madison County. Meryl Streep should play Empress Alexandra in a movie about the Romanovs!

[@dsoule4902]

Doubtful a chomo supporter should play a religious woman.

[@ellebelle8515]

What needs to be remembered: as much as this wealthy aristocracy loved their Russian homeland and never quite recovered from being exiled, possibly the majority were never of true Russian heritage/blood and lived quite separate lives from the majority of the average Russian peasantry. My own parents and ancestors, who were born in Russia, and lived there for about 200 years, were fully Germanic. While they learned the Russian language and adopted some customs, they lived fairly separately in their villages and colonies, never intermarrying. The same was true of many of their neighboring colonies of Jews, Ukrainians, and others. As some have said, our people were only guests in Russia for a couple of centuries; then we were liquidated or sent packing again. This seems to be the reality for many, especially the wealthiest who were obviously oblivious of their wealth and privilege, surrounded by millions living in extreme poverty. My ancestors weren't very wealthy, but they lived in relative comfort until the Revolution; for this, their fate was the same as the aristocracy. For the different ethnic groups who stayed in Russia and survived, Stalinist Soviet policies did its work to wipe out individual group identities. Change was long overdue in Czarist Russia, but the bloody revolution and aftermath only created tragedy and misery in a different form.

[@ashleyleonard8148]

You're conflating race with culture. Culturally; these "Russians" (as you try to demand their identity be as you say it is) were raised russisn. On soil. Russian art, language, religion. Etc. That's what makes a nation. That the damn DNA. Guess what? I'm related (not even that distantly lol only like 12 lines from EII) to the current Royals. I'm American. My DNA can say different. Cool. But statement like "my people/your people" yada yada I'd what creates genocide. It creates animosity from the second division starts.

[@ellebelle8515]

​@@ashleyleonard8148 I raised the issue of both race and culture. Of course it is not all about actual DNA. And remember, we are talking mainly about Russian royalty 100 and more years ago. But the facts are that the spouse of every Russian monarch was not even born or raised in Russia right up to the last one, Alexandra, Victoria's granddaughter. The bride made Russia her home upon marriage. Like Alexandra, they brought their languages and cultures with them and their children were raised with British nannies and tutors. With family, in the home, they mainly spoke and wrote in English or French and German. Plus, they lived on another level of wealth not comparative to any average Russian. I also was speaking about my own family almost 100 years ago- very different time. My own family spoke Russian as well but never used it in the home. Of course, they absorbed much of the Russian culture, but they remained primarily Germanic in their culture and customs. They had Jewish and Ukrainian neighboring colonies who, like them, maintained their own cultures and customs in their own communities. Because of their neighboring colonies, they also learned some Yiddish and Ukrainian.

[@ashleyleonard8148]

@Elle Belle sadly, Nikolas father wanted him to marry a Russian. And at that particular time in history, it would've been welcomed. Had I been him, I'd have forgone love to marry a type the people wanted. Even if just to avoid civil war. Would it have been a bit placating and possibly miserable? Sure. But, he could've worked on loving someone from his country. Sadly, if his parents would truly not have okayed the match at the last second, things may have been different. But who knows? There were quite a few Romanov Tsars who married Russian girls, however. Like Mikhail the I. And his son, Alexei. I know those two for sure. Watch StarMedias history of the Romanovs. It's officially done by the Russian government.

[@DrJoySmithMaxwell]

I couldn't agree more! Russia is HUGE & has mainly been ruled by outsiders for centuries. As practically slave/serf owners, the Russian aristocrats never experienced anything like the common Russians did. I personally believe that if they actually took care of the people, the Bolshevik would have never succeeded. The Russian revolution was a popular uprising & that's the beginning of democracy & a republic!

[@jorgeponce5512]

I like your comments as well as those of the repliers below. Have a question, the movie Ninotchka (1939) includes Russian aristocrats who had moved to Paris after the Bolshevik Revolution. In case you have seen this movie, do you know if the character of the Russian aristocrat Grand Duchess Swana (portrayed by actress Ina Claire) actually existed in real life or was just fictional? (Note: The movie Ninotchka is my all-time fave comedy screenplay)

[@seventhuser904]

God Bless Russia!

[@RussianHistoryMuseum]

Thank you for viewing this lecture, Mister Singh- www.russianhistorymuseum.org/join-mailing-list/

[@gaaiessaaies]

Gotta love the ironic video title.

[@DrJoySmithMaxwell]

Excellent lecture presentation. I've no horse in the game, but despite their failed state, the hedonistic self-indulgences of the aristocracy & bourgeois & their utmost disregard of the well-being of their country men, fully explains the popularity of the Bolshevik revolution among the Russian masses, just as much as the French revolution: abuse of the people by the privileged ruling few! Thank goodness for the notion of democracy & republic over monarchy: that's progress, even if it hits some serious bumps along the way towards implementation! & it's hilarious that the defeated privileged classes are always trying to re-establish the old order from a far & often with the support of foreigners at their own SES!

[@brober]

Windsors take note.😂

[@Fopenplop]

historical losers who chose their fate

[@doncorleone1553]

Soviet Union lasted barely 70 years and has been gone for 32 years. Russian Empire lasted over 300 years. Who is the loser here?

[@Fopenplop]

@doncorleone1553 the working class

[@IzabellaRequiem]

WHY EMPHASIZEON WHITE?

[@RussianHistoryMuseum]

“White” is the term used to describe the wave of Russian immigrants that followed the Russian Revolution and subsequent Civil War: en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_émigré. Helen’s talk focuses on that community of refugees.

[@DrJoySmithMaxwell]

Because the Bolshevik was known as the RED army, while the Tzarists were the WHITE.

[@jaysonbiggs8979]

Russian royalty. Good riddance.

[@doncorleone1553]

The same shall be said of you one day.

[@camillopellegatta581]

The topic is very interesting but is told in such a pedantic, boring, uninspired and flat way that at minute 15,33 I lost any interest. It seems like the lady is reading a phone book.