A Tolstoy Descendant Returns to His Roots in Yasnaya Polyana | The Moscow Times

Yasnaya Polyana, the childhood home and estate of Russian literary giant Leo Tolstoy, and where he penned masterpieces like "War and Peace" and "Anna Karenina" has been given a new purpose. The writer's descendant Ilya Tolstoy has launched a new apple business at his great-great-great-grandfather's estate, producing apple juice from trees planted by Tolstoy himself. Ilya, 33, had built a career as a television news producer in Russia's capital Moscow when he decided that he wanted a change of pace — and left it behind to make use of the 40 hectares of apple orchards on the estate's property. It is perhaps here at Yasnaya Polyana — which Tolstoy once described as an "inaccessible literary stronghold" — that one can best get a taste of the writer's legacy. The Moscow Times is Russia’s leading independent English-language media outlet. From our Moscow newsroom, we provide readers across the world with breaking news, engaging stories and balanced journalism about the largest country on Earth. Find us at: https://www.themoscowtimes.com/   / moscowtimes     / moscowtimes     / themoscowtimes