In 1978, Soviet geologists prospecting in the wilds of Siberia discovered a family of six, lost in the taiga (for 40 years, this Russian family was cut off from all human contact, unaware of WWII). The low door creaked, and the figure of a very old man emerged into the light of day, straight out of a fairy tale. Barefoot. Wearing a patched and repatched shirt made of sacking. He wore trousers of the same material, also in patches, and had an uncombed beard. His hair was disheveled. He looked frightened and was very attentive…. We had to say something, so I began: ‘Greetings, grandfather! We’ve come to visit!’ The … Continue reading Mike Dash