Mourning, Victory, Hope, and Symbolism
 

On November 11 at the Belgian national holiday, armistice Day, 1918, the day the first world war. In November 1918 in Belgium and France was founded tradition to lay chrysanthemums on soldiers ' graves. Chrysanthemums were not chosen randomly, they bloom late in the year, can withstand moderate frosts, chrysanthemums at this time of year could be produced in sufficient quantity.

Written in the late autumn of 1941, under the impression at the flower market, November 11, at the Grand-place, historical town square in the centre of Brussels.

Belgium, Brussels, occupation, background, color of the facade of knowledge and palate, this is "the echo of the" life of the time, left the man in the black cloak, obviously the German security agent.

The grandmother and the girl in black - war, it is difficult, not easy.
But as usual, November 11, armistice Day, the mountain of chrysanthemums. The expression on their faces, primarily the eyes, very kind, confident and no matter what we've been through, full of dignity.
Grandma's face enlightened, like the face of a Holy, calm, with a slight smile
At the top of the building, the Phoenix is a symbol of eternal renewal.
All together, mourning, victory, hope, and love.

Ivanov Pavel Petrovich (alias Paul (Paul) poppy), 1891-1967. Russia - Belgium