Let’s bring a toast to Alexander

Today we are celebrating Alexander’s birthday, as we did before and will continue doing in centuries to come.

For the occasion, I pulled out a special bottle. No, it is not going to be wine this time but vodka. Why not?

Over the centuries, many alcoholic beverages were created based on fermented cereal grains or different kinds of fruits. Vodka as such was documented for the first time in the 8^th century, but I’m sure many varieties were tried, tested and tasted much earlier – be it only for medicinal purposes.

What brings me to linking Alexander’s birthday to vodka is this special bottle I received during my stay in Uzbekistan. This country is at the heart of Central Asia, home to the Sogdians and Bactrians, and the birthplace of Roxane.

It so happened that I met a guide who was very interested in Alexander the Great as well, and we exchanged many stories – true historical events or local legends. One day, he confided to me that he had reached the same age as Alexander when he died and admired how much the young king had accomplished in comparison. It made him feel jealous and envious. What a way to look back at your own life!

When we said our goodbyes, he treated me to a bottle of vodka, the national drink of Uzbekistan. His gift, for me, had a more profound significance because the label said The Great Alexander. The slender white opaque bottle displayed the silver image of the king set a circle with a Greek meander. The bottom edge of this Premium Classic is decorated with a continuous black frieze of Macedonian infantry and cavalry led by a very recognizable Alexander on horseback. What a magnificent token of friendship that was!

Useless to say that the vodka has been savored since, but the bottle still occupies a place of honor. After all, using Alexander as an emblem on their native drink testifies of the Uzbek reverence for the conqueror. Isn’t it amazing and heartwarming to witness such respect and admiration from a people that submitted to a foreign ruler?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DEAR ALEXANDER!