In Russia’s arsenal the knife and fork have been powerful weapons
So argues a new book about the country’s gastro-diplomacy
JOSEF STALIN understood the power of feasts. His chefs created sumptuous spreads which were designed to intimidate his guests. Witold Szablowski, a Polish author, suggests that when Stalin hosted Allied leaders for the Yalta conference in 1945, buckets of caviar and Crimean champagne helped him secure territorial concessions in eastern Europe.
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This article appeared in the Culture section of the print edition under the headline “Superpower food”
Culture December 2nd 2023
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- In Russia’s arsenal the knife and fork have been powerful weapons
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From the December 2nd 2023 edition
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