A. Legendary French actress Sarah Bernhardt won the hearts of theatregoers around the world but always remained faithful to Paris, the city of her birth and her very first triumphs. She has often been called 'the most famous actress in the history of the world'. Sarah Bernhardt made her fame on the stages of Europe in the 1870s, and was soon working in Europe and the United States. She developed a reputation as a serious actress, getting the nickname 'The Divine* Sarah.'

B. One hundred years after her death, Sarah Bernhardt is still remembered as a star, well-known from Sydney to New York and from Cairo to Rio de Janeiro. Her talent as a tragic actress, along with what Victor Hugo called her 'golden voice,' earned her worldwide recognition. Sarah Bernhardt was also skilled at attracting people's attention, posing expertly for newspapers, photographers and gossip writers. Her enduring impact comes from her ability to create a captivating public image, making her one of the most interesting figures in theatre history. 5

C. Sarah was born in Paris in 1844. She spent much of her early childhood in a monastery near Versailles. It was only when she turned fourteen that she left the monastery to live with her mother. Her mother wanted her to get married at an early age, as she couldn't afford to keep Sarah and her sister at home. But Sarah categorically refused. When her mother's friend recommended Sarah to enroll in the acting school near her mother's home, it seemed like an excellent decision. From 1860 to 1862 Sarah showed interest in drama and was finally accepted by a theatre called the Comédie-Française. But just a few months later, in 1863, she was fired for having hit a famous actress who had violently pushed her little sister. To survive, Sarah took on small roles at the theatre called Théâtre du Gymnase.

D. Finally, in 1869 Sarah Bernhardt experienced her first triumph. It was at the theatre Odéon, where her performance was praised as graceful and charming. However, soon afterwards her home caught fire and she lost all of her belongings. To somehow help the actress, the Odéon organised an event in Sarah Bernhardt's honour which raised enough money for her to find a new place to live. When the Franco-Prussian War broke out in 1870, theatres closed down. But once peace was restored, Sarah Bernhardt again triumphed at the Odéon, this time in the leading role.

E. After this success, the Comédie-Française hired Sarah Bernhardt again and she soon became wealthy enough to build a Renaissancestyle house. The mansion, which is a large expensive house, was built around her studio, where Sarah developed her sculpting skills. One of her works of art, After the Storm, was shown at what is now the Grand Palais. The studio was filled with paintings of herself in different roles, as well as strange things, like a skeleton named Lazare and a collection of stuffed bats and tigers. Sarah fulfilled all of her unusual desires; she even hired a balloon to fly over Paris during the World's Fair in 1878.

F. Despite all her success, Sarah spent more than she earned and in 1885 she had to sell her big house. She moved to a new home where she once again created her fantastic universe with the possessions she had saved from sale, including a painted ceiling by a famous artist. Despite a serious knee injury, she continued to perform on stage and even acted as the director of several Paris theatres. In 1915 her right leg was amputated, but she continued to perform until the very end. On March 26, 1923 the theatre legend died at her home. A huge crowd followed her funeral procession to Père Lachaise cemetery.

* divine: ღვთაებრივი

This is a true story told by Susan Evans who used to raise money for a children's home.

My family belonged to the middle class, and I was lucky enough to have all of my needs satisfied when I was growing up. However, I know that not everyone is as fortunate as I am. Even though it is impossible to help everyone, I firmly believe that kindness has the power to significantly improve the lives of those who are less fortunate. There are a lot of people who need financial and moral support. Just recently, I initiated a heartwarming fundraising* activity for a children's home, which filled me with a great desire to make a positive difference in the lives of children who have experienced the loss of their parents. My dream was simple but strong: to provide these kids with more than just the things they need, like love, care and the opportunities they deserve. It was a straightforward but powerful dream. With this in mind, I reached out to members of my community, friends and colleagues, sharing the story of the children's home and the wonderful work that is being done there. My discovery that people are naturally generous and eager to make a difference in the world came as a complete surprise to me.

Fundraising became a way to unite people around a common goal. From organising charity marathons and selling homemade cookies to initiating online campaigns and collecting donations, each effort brought us closer to our goal. The response was incredible - people from different social classes came together, showing that people are kind to each other no matter what. One remarkable success story was the renovation of the children's home, which became a safe place for a young girl named Sarah. Even though Sarah had gone through a lot of problems, she was able to access high-quality education with the additional financial support which we raised. It was truly inspiring to see how she was changing from a shy, uncertain child into a confident, ambitious young woman. Her story strengthened the belief that even a small effort can have a significant impact on a child's life. As the funds grew, I saw how the children's home started to transform. Thanks to the generosity of others, living conditions improved, educational opportunities expanded and a caring environment full of hope and optimism became possible. This experience served as a powerful reminder of the positive change that can happen when people work together to support those in need. Through this journey, I've learned that raising funds is about more than just financial support; it's about building a network of kind individuals committed to making a difference.

In conclusion, raising funds for the children's home has been an incredibly meaningful experience. It has strengthened my trust in the kindness of others, as I've seen how naturally people are willing to help, and in our collective ability to create a better future for those who need it most. As I continue on this path, I'm filled with gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to the well-being and happiness of these amazing children, knowing that our efforts are paving the way for a brighter tomorrow.

* fundraising – ფულადი სახსრების მოზიდვა