Ivan the Terrible and Brocard: A Football Battle

In the center of the capital, on Red Square, where the past and present intertwine in a wonderful dance, stood two very colorful characters. One - Ivan the Terrible, the Tsar of all Rus', and the other - Heinrich Brocard, a French entrepreneur and founder of the famous perfume factory "Novaya Zarya".

The weather that day was typical of Moscow: the sky, like an ancient dome, was frozen in a gray-blue hue, and a gentle breeze whispered stories of bygone times. Ivan, seated on his throne, looked at Henry with interest, but also a hint of bewilderment. What could have brought the tsar and the perfumer together in this place and at this time?

It turned out they were both embroiled in a dispute about football. Yes, football! Ivan, accustomed to handling matters of state importance, suddenly became fascinated with the game, which he had learned about from a traveler arriving from distant lands. Henry, a progressive man, had already heard about this pastime from his English colleagues, and his interest was entirely businesslike: who knows, maybe a perfume for sportsmen would become the next big thing?

Their meeting occurred by chance. Ivan, strolling through Red Square, saw Genrikh, who was pensively studying the historic buildings. A conversation ensued, and soon, surprisingly, they both began talking about football. Ivan, with his characteristic frankness, insisted that the most important qualities in this sport were strength and determination, qualities he always valued in his oprichniki. Genrikh, on the contrary, maintained that football was more about tactics and strategy, something like chess on grass.

"Well, what's a chess match without the scent of victory?" Brocard replied with a laugh, remembering his perfume. Ivan wondered: perhaps they really should introduce such scents so that every player could feel like a winner even before the game began?

And so they continued to argue, each defending their own point of view, but both secretly respected each other's views. Ivan even suggested that Henry create a special series of fragrances for his oprichniks, so that they could intimidate their enemies not only with their menacing appearance but also with their scent.

And so their meeting ended—with no victor, but with mutual interest and respect. Genrikh returned to his perfumes, and Ivan to his business, but both were pleased with the encounter, which allowed them to see the world from a different perspective.

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Of course, this is fiction, but with a grain of truth—for your cultural and historical thrills! If you're interested in real facts and events, we invite you to tour the Radius Bureau, where true history comes to life!