A Tour of Vilnius

"Vilnius is the modern European city with a remarkable old town and friendly people."

Friendly people. Just remember not to bare your teeth.

"Part of Paris exhibition about Napoleon dedicated to Lithuania."

Napoleon in Lithuania (again).

The Finest Drawing Room

Venice, Italy, June 1989. The subject of Napoleon Bonaparte first arose on this blog because of his connection to Lithuania. When I look at this photo, I recall Napoleon's impact on Venice. Napoleon called the Piazza San Marco "the most beautiful drawing room in Europe," and I imagine Napoleon had a view similar to this one when he made that observation.

An Encounter with Izzy

Although I favor the Poodle breed, I am very fond of Papillons. They're quick, clean, energetic, and affectionate. Many Poodle breeders consider Papillons wonderful "retirement dogs:" Papillons are almost as smart as Poodles, but Papillons don't require intense grooming.

"Izzy" is a fine example of the Papillon breed:

 Verona, Wisconsin, December 2012. Izzy gives me her full attention.  

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The Papillon is "a small, sociable dog with great enthusiasm" that can "channel its inner Napoleon:"

   

    Adorable!

Napoleon and Vilnius

Typhus in Lithuania, not combat, wiped out many of Napoleon's troops.

History is amazing because it is rarely certain.

Thanks to Peter Hoh (the commenter) for pointing this article out to me.

Napoleon and the Serenissima

I've occasionally touched on the arrival of Napoleon in Lithuania.

Here's a good look at how Napoleon's arrival affected another favorite place of mine—Venice.

Moving quickly on Napoleon's Hill.

Napoleon's Hill, Kaunas, Lithuania, 1934. My Mom enjoys her playtime on Napoleon's Hill.

Exploration

Napoleon's Hill, Kaunas, Lithuania, 1934. My Mom explores the historical site.

Napoleon Complex

Vilnius, Lithuania, August 2011. When my Toronto Cousin visited Lithuania, the tour guide explained that architects modeled this façade at Vilnius University on Napoleon Bonaparte's hat in commemoration of the general's visit to the country.

Thanks to my Toronto Cousin for making this photo available to us.

Back to Napoleon's Hill

Napoleon's Hill, Kaunas, Lithuania, 1934. My Mom and my maternal Grandfather, Jake, sit in the park on Napoleon's Hill.

Napoleons, Two Ways

Napoleon Bonaparte lingered in Lithuania during his Russian campaign.

Lithuanians claim that a chef created a "Napoleon Torte" ("Napoleonas") to honor the French general upon his arrival. Napoleonas consists of about twelve sheets of paper-thin puff pastry, held together with a rich, vanilla buttercream and a few layers of apricot jam. We cover the torte with buttercream and sprinkle the top and sides with crumbled puff pastry—that is, with the puff pastry layer that fell apart.

Legend maintains that when the French returned home, they asked Parisian pastry chefs to reproduce the Lithuanian delicacy. No one succeeded at making the torte in its original, complicated form. As a result, the French settled on a streamlined version. Today, French Napoleon pastries still consist of about four layers of puff pastry filled with a simple pastry crème.

We like Napoleonas in any form, Lithuanian or French.

Here is my Lithuanian Napoleonas:

Door County, Wisconsin, August 2000. No, this isn't 2011-fresh Napoleonas. This is an old photo for the old photo blog.

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In the Lithuanian city of Kaunas, the citizens also renamed a mound the "Napoleon Hill" because Napoleon stood on it as he watched the French Army cross the Nemunas River.

Napoleon's Hill, Kaunas, Lithuania, 1934. My Mom and my maternal Grandmother, Jadzė, sit in the park on Napoleon's Hill.

UPDATE: Look at my Mom's and Jadzė's hands and feet. Does this this mom-mimickery look familiar?