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Hotel with a story

Posted December. 23, 2013 00:31,   

한국어

Lotte Hotel in downtown Seoul showcased “Pushkin Plaza” recently. It changed the name from “Cosmology Plaza” to “Pushkin Plaza” after setting up a statue of Russian writer Alexander Pushkin. The Russian Association of Proletarian Writers granted the statue holding a book in his left hand and a pen in his right hand to Korea University and Lotte Hotel offered a place for it. The hotel had a first relationship with Russia as it built Lotte Hotel Moscow in 2010 as its first overseas branch. Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Korea last month to attend the statue unveiling ceremony.

Istanbul’s Pera Palace is known for famous thriller writer Agatha Christie. She wrote “Murder on the Orient Express” in room 411 of the hotel. The room still remains the same as the writer described. The bright and imposing hotel makes people imagine a scene that Christie walks to the hotel after she arrived in the Sirkeci region in Istanbul, the final destination of the Orient Express.

Imperial Hotel in Wien was loved by German composer Richard Wagner. He stayed in the hotel for two months in 1875 to prepare for "Tannhauser" and “Lohengrin.” Hotel guests complained about the sound of piano but after learning that Wagner was playing the piano, they rather waited for his play. The hotel has a nameplate honoring his stay.

Many people love Pushkin’s poem “If, perhaps, life should deceive you.” If, perhaps, life should deceive you, be not gloomy, be not riled! To sad days be reconciled; Days of gladness, trust, are near you. In the future the heart lasts, and the present is not cheering: All’s but a moment, all will pass; what has passed will be endearing."

There are many flower bouquets left by many Russians in front of the statue in Pushkin Plaza. George Bernard Shaw said, “The great advantage of a hotel is that it is a refuge from home life.” A hotel has something that helps people forget about their daily lives. It’s better if it has a story.

Economics Reporter Son Hyo-lim (aryssong@donga.com)