The forgotten botanists who resisted the Nazis
A remarkable tale of sacrifice in the name of science
For nearly 900 days in 1941-44, Nazi forces blockaded Leningrad, modern-day St Petersburg, trying to starve the city into submission. When food ran out, people ate cotton husks, leather belts and even their pets. Reports of cannibalism spread. Nearly a third of the population—some 750,000 civilians—died.
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This article appeared in the Culture section of the print edition under the headline “Seeds of change”
Culture
December 7th 2024
From the December 7th 2024 edition
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Meghan Markle’s new Netflix show is out of touch with the times
In it she positions herself as an elite Martha Stewart
This year’s Oscars were notably apolitical
Hollywood has ditched resistance in favour of toeing the line
AI unleashes a weird new genre of political communication
Donald Trump’s Gaza video offers a taste of what is to come
Why are live albums back in fashion?
Hitmakers including Niall Horan, Dua Lipa and Ed Sheeran have released them
Caviar is the internet’s favourite indulgence
Russian tsars loved it. Now TikTok does, too
Finding meaning in people’s first words—and their last
Why there is less significance than society would have you believe