Today's episode is about Mykola Gogol - a Ukrainian who turned out to be one of the greatest and most influential writers of all time. He had a huge influence worldwide inspiring many authors, and musicians. He created entire genres of literature. But how did Gogol come to dominate the literary scene? Why is he considered a genius? And who was he really?

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"Do you know a Ukrainian night? No, you do not know a night in Ukraine. Take a closer look at her: The moon shines in the midst of the sky; the immeasurable vault of heaven seems to have expanded to infinity; the earth is bathed in silver light; the air is warm, voluptuous, and redolent of innumerable sweet scents. Divine night! Magical night!" - Mykola Gogol.

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The music in today's episode are the overtures taken from Mykola Lysenkos operas "May Night, or the Drowned Maiden" and "Christmas Night" both based on Gogol's stories.