The almanac Les Russes sur le Bosphore [Russians on the Bosphorus] is a joint work of Russian-speaking émigrés (journalists, writers, painters and photographers) in Istanbul. The decision to publish such a work was made when they were faced with the challenge of leaving the country or becoming naturalised. The almanac was published to inform readers about the achievements of Russian émigrés during their presence in the city on the Bosphorus. The authors themselves described the purpose of this edition in the announcement concerning the almanac’s release as follows:
“This almanac was dedicated to the presence of Russians in Turkey, their efforts, cultural activities, their creative work, art, knowledge, entrepreneurial attitude, and also aims at expressing Russian gratitude to Turkey for its hospitality and Russian sympathy for the Turkish people. The text of the almanac contains sketches of Russian working life on the Bosphorus, descriptions of Russian institutions and undertakings, biographies of the leaders of the Russian colony, workers in churches, culture, science, press, art, technology, industry and trade. Essays on the Turkish Renaissance, Byzantium, descriptions of monuments of history and art, an extensive literary part” (Anonymous, “Russkiye na Bosfore. Les Russes sur le Bosphore”, 22 May 1927).
Perhaps the most important figure in the history of the publication of this work was the compiler and editor Anatoliy Bournakine (poet, literary critic and journalist). According to Marina Sorokina, he gave the almanac this name, Les Russes sur le Bosphore, not for nothing, but with a reference to the book of the same name by the Russian general and diplomat Nikolay Muravyov-Karsky, who was famous for his military success and diplomatic victories. In addition to journalists and writers, Russian émigré painters and photographers contributed to the almanac. Thus, an elegant cover with Turkish motifs was created by the artist Nikolai Saraphanoff, headpieces were designed by the artist V. Lyubomirsky (В. Любомирский), and portraits for biographies, groups, interiors, views and photo studies were provided by the artist and photographer Jules Kanzler. Furthermore, photographs of some of the works (paintings, sculptures, etc.) were taken by painters such as Boris Eguize, Nikolai Peroff, Nikolai Saraphanoff, Dimitri Ismailovitch, V.P.-Tch., and architect I.W. Pitlenko (И.В. Питленко).