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Adult Education course "Two Film Interpretations of Leo Tolstoy's War and Peace."

The Kotlas Connection's third Russian film offering, under the auspices of the Mid-Maine Regional Adult Education program, came to a tasty and delightful conclusion on November 19, 2013. The 8-week film viewing and discussion course included the 1968 epic 8-hour film of Tolstoy's masterpiece novel and the 1956 American film version, starring Audrey Hepburn, Henry Fonda, and Mel Ferrer. Participants viewed a brief biography of Leo Tolstoy, discussed Napoleon's invasion of Russia in 1812 and European history of the early 19th century, and compared and contrasted the two directors' interpretations of the novel. To conclude the course, participants prepared various Russian recipes, and joined together for a delicious and festive Russian dinner. The menu included traditional Russian borshch, smoked fish, sausages and cheeses, deviled eggs, eggplant casserole, and many traditional Russian salads, which featured green beans, cucumber, tomatoes, cabbage, beets, crab, and potatoes. A fruit compote accompanied pies, cakes, and cookies for dessert. Everyone ate heartily and congratulated all the cooks and bakers, who prepared such a lovely meal.