#vanka

vanka... meows

I was wondering if you maybe know his name, who gave him to family and things like that?

Hello there! Many thanks for your question!

I don't know the name of this particular donkey in the photographs you've sent - I think that they might have been a 'beach donkey' which are popular in holiday destinations around the world, which would explain why it's on a beach. Kids can pay to go for a donkey ride up and down the shore.

However Alexei did have his own donkey at Tsarskoe Selo, though, who was called Vanka. Vanka seems to have been a miniature donkey, or at least very small in stature, most likely to prevent Alexei from taking a tumble whilst riding him.

Whilst some sources say that Vanka was a gift from Nicholas, the donkey was actually a gift from the Italian royal couple. The Hermitage Museum says this (rough translation): "Here is a wonderful harness left over from a gift from the Italian king who, through Nicholas II, gave a donkey to Alexei Nikolaevich, [which was sent from] Italy to Livadia then sent to St. Petersburg."

Vanka also had his own special harness outfit which you can see in these photographs. The harness has survived and is being displayed currently at the Hermitage Museum.

The text on this image translates to "CLOSE-UP: ITALIAN GIFT TSESAREVITCH ALEXEI"

If you would like to see some incredibly rare footage of Alexei playing with Vanka, check out this post!

Alexei was also gifted another donkey and cart by his grandmother Maria Feodorovna in 1914. I don't know the fate of either donkeys, but considering that they can live between 30-40 years, there's a chance that they might have been alive during the Revolution.

Thalia Ivanka Elizabeth

Thalia Ivanka Elizabeth Frederick mostly known as Vanka or Thalia Kecil (Thacil), means Little Thalia, is a member of Idol Group JKT48 2nd generation who come from Jakarta, Indonesia. Vanka officially become a member of Team J alongside with Rachel (now in team K3) at “JKT48 Musim Panas Handshake Event” 23 February 2014.

Full Name : Thalia Ivanka Elizabeth Frederick Nickname : Vanka, Thacil D.O.B : 29 Juni 1999, Jakarta Nationality : Indonesia City : Jakarta JKT48 Member : 2012 - now

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