Why do images of the foreign often seem surprisingly familiar? The lecture will explore how fear and curiosity shaped perceptions of distant worlds - from ancient tales to science fiction. It will discuss how stories of travelers gave birth to imaginary lands and strange creatures, and why these images took root so easily. The focus will be on the turn of the 19th to the 20th century, when interest in extraterrestrial intelligence was added to geographical discoveries. Participants will discuss how writers sought the face of the 'other' and why they turned to already familiar cultural models. The conversation will move from old texts to modern books, showing how the reader's perspective changes. This is an opportunity to see that behind fantastic plots often lie quite recognizable ideas about the world and about oneself. Entry is by registration, but a reader's ticket to the library of foreign literature will be required. For details, please check the organizers' website. If you don't know where to stroll in Moscow, visit KUDAGO.