What is a ball? For most, this is a fabulous event, alien to the modern information society, a relic of the past with its depressing formalities and unnecessary requirements. However, the ball is not a fairy tale, but an integral part of Russian culture. No other type of leisure can boast of such cultural and educational value. This fact indicates the need to revive ballroom traditions in Russia.
Etymology of the word
The meaning of the word "ball" with its origins goes back to Italian and French - bal, ballo, which means "to dance". There is another version, according to which the word was borrowed from Polish or German, in which bal means "to circle". Thus, the ball is a social event, the central entertainment of which is dancing.
Until the 18th century, dance evenings in Russia were called an assembly. Only under Peter I, when Russian culture began to rapidly mix with European culture, did the word “ball” enter the Russian language. After 3 centuries, its historical significance has not changed and still means one of the most solemn events.
Development of ballroom culture in Russia
The first ball in Russia was given in 1606 in honor of the wedding of False Dmitry I and Marina Mnishek. However, together with the rupture of relations with the Polish state, ballroom culture left Russia.
The tradition of ballroom festivities was reintroduced only 2 centuries later: in 1718, by order of Emperor Peter I, a luxurious ball was given in St. Petersburg. However, even at the beginning of the 18th century, this tradition did not take root. Only with the ascension to the throne of Catherine II, i.e., by the end of the 18th century, the balls moved from the category of a rare celebration into an ordinary event, which was arranged with pleasure by the nobility, as well as honorary citizens of the city - teachers, doctors, etc. The first ball in Moscow was given within the walls of the hall of the Noble Assembly at the end of the 18th century.
Bals were given almost all year round, with the exception of the period of Lent. The season began at the end of September (the time when the nobility returned to the city from foreign trips and country residences) and ended on the last days of Maslenitsa. After the revolution of 1917, when the tsarist power was overthrown, the imperial traditions sank into oblivion along with the imperial regime.
Typology of ball events
Balls differed depending on their venues - the main varieties were court and public.
Despite the fact that the ball is a fun dance event, the court festivities were distinguished by a special stiffness and strict requirements. The guests were the city nobility and the intelligentsia, they were visited by the imperial retinue and the mostnoble families of the city. At court balls, it was considered extremely indecent to deviate from the canons of ballroom rules, and therefore the atmosphere of the festivities was extremely official.
Public balls were significantly different from the court ones. Here, guests could fervently dance, have fun, chat and have fun. However, it was important to observe the norms of etiquette here as well.
Ballroom etiquette
A ball is a holiday, a magnificent celebration, the prerequisites for organizing which were weddings and birthdays, as well as memorable dates and national holidays. However, at the same time, he demanded that the guests comply with important formalities - ballroom etiquette. This is a whole set of rules in ballroom culture, from demeanor to the tone of the dress.
Invited to the ball by an official invitation sent to the father of the family in the form of a postcard or letter. It indicated the time and place of the celebration, and also, if the ball was themed, the details of clothing or appearance, which the guests were required to match.
Within 2 or 3 days, the invited person had to give an answer. It was extremely indecent to refuse to attend the ball, and the only reason that freed the invitee from responsibility for such uncultured behavior to the organizers was considered mourning, an urgent departure, or, in extreme cases, illness.
Special attention should be paid to such an element of ballroom etiquette as appearance and in particular clothing.
Ballroom wardrobe
As the hero of M. Bulgakov’s story spoke with sarcasm: “That’s allyou, as in a parade. This statement does not apply to ballroom etiquette, but fully reflects it. Guests are required to look at the ball as solemnly as at the parade: men in uniform tunics or ballroom suits (ballroom couple with a tie), and women in dresses of a strictly established style. For ladies to appear twice in the same outfit was the apogee of indecency. Every self-respecting woman prepared a separate toilet for a new appearance. In this regard, invitations to events were sent out in advance, 10-15 days in advance, so that the guests had time to implement all the preparations.
Depending on the theme of the ball, it could be costumed, monochrome, or stylized. In addition to clothes, it was necessary to prepare attributes - masks, decorations, stylized elements, etc.
The hands of gentlemen and ladies were decorated with snow-white gloves. It was impossible to take them off even in case of damage - for such cases, guests purchased a spare pair.
An important attribute of women's wardrobe was a fan. With it, the ladies fanned their faces and shoulders after the clockwork dances, they also used this accessory in communication with men.
Modern ballroom culture
Cultural education of the nation is one of the priorities. Newly organized ballroom events help to return to their roots and take a fresh look at the organization of celebrations, raise the level of their culture and join history. The ball is first of all a kind of intelligent rest.
Today, ballroom culture is being revived inRussia, and it has had some success.
Modern balls are divided into historical, i.e., involving the reconstruction of famous events from the history of Russia, masquerades and stylistic. Stylistic balls are usually attended by people from one social category, which is determined by the affiliation of the celebration. For example, in Moscow, a dentists' ball is held annually, and in Sevastopol, a culture of officer balls is developing. An important event of the outgoing year was the debutante ball TATLER, which was attended by boys and girls of the most famous families in Moscow.
Organization of the celebration
Recently, teachers are interested in the development of aesthetic taste in schoolchildren, as well as instilling the norms and rules of etiquette. A ball will help teach children and teenagers the rules of behavior in society. Depending on the age of the participants, as well as the event to which it is timed, it is necessary to prepare a script. At the autumn ball, you can play a comic scene that will unite the students after the holidays and help to get to know the new members who have come to the team. The scenario of the winter ball can be timed to coincide with the New Year festivities, and the spring one - for the upcoming holidays or farewell to the educational institution.
Balls in the autumn period are very popular among students and schoolchildren, because this is the time when exams are still so far away, and memories of a carefree summer are hovering in their thoughts. Depending on the type of ball (historical, stylistic or masquerade), the script for the autumn ball must be selectedcorresponding. For schoolchildren under 10 years old, you can take the plot of a fairy tale or cartoon as a basis, from 10 to 15 years old - a film or book. For high school students and students, historical balls can be held, which will allow them to join the history of their country along with entertainment.
Moscow Ball Events
The tradition of organizing and participating in balls is gradually being revived in Russia. After all, the ball is primarily a cultural event, a place where people can intelligently relax.
The main event of 2017 in ballroom culture will be the Vienna Ball in Moscow, scheduled for May 20, 2017. Unfortunately, applications from girls have already ended, but boys can try their luck and be at the specified event.
If you have the opportunity to travel abroad, please note that today many travel agencies offer tours to balls around the world. Austria will host about 12 such events in January 2017 alone, including:
- 13.01.2017 – Styrian ball.
- 13.01.2017 – Flower Ball.
- 14.01.2017 - Ball of the Vienna University of Economics and Business.
- 16.01.2017 - Officers' Ball.
- 19.01.2017 – Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra Ball and more
For children until January 8 at the Luzhniki Stadium there will be a New Year's interactive performance-ball "Battle with the Troll". Ticket prices - from 500 to 2500 rubles.
A person who got to the ball once will never be able to organize his leisure time in another way. After all, what is a ball? This ishistory and culture without vulgarity, this is solemnity and pomp without pretentiousness, this is aesthetics and a clear example of how an intelligent and well-mannered person should relax. If you consider yourself as such - welcome to the ball!
