Tradit︠s︡ii︠a︡ bala v kulʹture Rossiĭskoĭ imperii
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Balls, one of the first European types of public ceremony, appeared in Russia under Peter I, in 1718, they were called assemblies.
One of the reasons for their introduction was Peter’s confidence that “nothing more than the treatment of women can have a more favorable effect on the development of the moral abilities of the Russian people.” Another reason was the desire to bring together all classes of society, for which assemblies were organized.
All the highest ranks were supposed to be present at the assemblies, as well as noble merchants and clerks, initial craftsmen.
Assemblies were held three times a week throughout the winter. The Tsar attended almost every assembly, sometimes directing the dances himself, creating such “caprioles” that would have been an honor to the best European choreographers of that time.
Balls often ended with fireworks full of political allegories.
After the death of Peter I, the assemblies ceased to exist, but balls were given quite often.
Under Catherine the Great, representatives of various classes could take part in balls.
Balls were given all year round, with the exception of fasting times. Balls were held at court, in the houses of nobles, but many researchers especially note the splendor of the balls held at the Bolshoi Theater and the Assembly of Nobility in Moscow and St. Petersburg.
