THE BIRTHDAY OF GENERAL POTEMKIN 05-03-2021

It is well known that symbolism, at the political level, always serves purposes.

The celebration of the birthday of a laurel-wielding Russian general, Potemkin, echoes the insidious desires of Catherine the Great.

On April 27, 1779, to commemorate his birth, Potemkin organizes a majestic celebration with fireworks, luminaries and songs in the Greek language.

Especially for the occasion, in fact, a coin depicting the Church of the Holy Wisdom of God in Constantinople was minted.

Catherine the Great's aspirations, according to her contemporaries, were towards Constantinople and were called "Greek plan".

Tsarina, as soon as her second grandson was born, often declared in her inner circle that she was to reign on the throne of the Byzantine emperors.

His education was similar: the young prince Konstantin Pavlovic had a Greek nurturer and Greeks in his service.

In fact, it is depicted in a painting by Richard Brobton, at the age of two, holding another Great Constantine, a banner, the pole of which is crowned with the "Cross of Victory" *.

* Source: V 'HISTORY, vol.77, pp.35-36