Famous French novelist Maurice Druon has turned 90. The literary giant was born in Russia, and has put a lot of effort into developing ties between the two nations.

“I cannot complain at my fate. Leo Tolstoy used to say: ”Don't complain about life. If you want to complain – then complain about yourself only.“ That's a wonderful lesson of wisdom. If God gives me several more years, they will be lived with the same love that unites us and our cultures,” Druon said.

The anniversary is marked and remembered by many Russian readers, who for years have been falling in love with his historic novels.
 
Among Druon's readers is Russian President Vladimir Putin. “Russians know and love you – hundreds of thousands, maybe millions – learned about France, both modern and in the Middle Ages, from your work,” the President said to the novelist.