I smiled softly, my eyes reflecting the calm waves. “The sea connects us, Arthur. It whispers the same stories, whether you’re standing here by the Mediterranean Sea in Cannes or by the Baltic Sea in St. Petersburg. Both cities breathe creativity and art, one through its glamorous film festivals and the other through its rich literary history.”
As we walked along the promenade, the festive sounds of the Cannes Film Festival filled the air. Banners and posters of the latest cinematic masterpieces adorned the streets, reminiscent of the vibrant energy of the White Nights Festival in St. Petersburg.
“Look at all these people,” Arthur marveled. “They’ve come from all over the world to celebrate film.”
I nodded, my thoughts deepening. “Cinema in Cannes and literature in St. Petersburg are more than just art forms. They are expressions of human experience, capturing the essence of our dreams, fears, and hopes. Dostoevsky once said, ‘Beauty will save the world.’ Here, beauty is in every frame of a movie, every stroke of a painting.”
We paused in front of a grand cinema, where a red carpet was being laid out for the evening’s premiere. The scene reminded me of the opulence of the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, where ballets and operas transported audiences to other realms.
“Both cities are theaters in their own right,” I mused. “In Cannes, the world is the stage for films. In St. Petersburg, the stage comes alive with performances that stir the soul. Art in both places challenges us to see beyond the ordinary.”
Arthur, sensing my contemplative mood, asked, “What do you think ties these cities together, apart from the sea?”
I turned to him, my eyes shining with conviction. “It’s the spirit of creation, Arthur. In Cannes, filmmakers create worlds that captivate our imagination. In St. Petersburg, writers and artists create works that delve into the depths of our humanity. Both cities invite us to explore, to understand, and to celebrate the endless possibilities of the human spirit.”
As night fell, the lights of Cannes sparkled like stars reflected in the water. My thoughts lingered on the similarities between Cannes and St. Petersburg, two cities cherished by our grandmother, her favorite cities in the world for their shared dedication to art and creativity.