What is a ball? The ball is ...

What is a ball? For the majority this fairy event, alien to the modern information society, is a relic of the past with its depressing formalities and excessive demands. However, the ball is not a fairy tale, but an integral part of Russian culture. No other kind of leisure can boast of such a cultural and educational significance. This fact indicates the need to revive ballroom traditions in Russia.

Etymology of the word

The meaning of the word "ball" originates from its origins in Italian and French - bal, ballo, which means "dancing". There is another version, according to which the word was borrowed from Polish or German languages, in which bal means "circling". Thus, the ball is a social event, the central entertainment is dancing.

Until the 18th century, dancing evenings in Russia were called an assembly. Only under Peter I, when the Russian culture began to blend rapidly with the European one, the word "ball" entered into Russian. After 3 centuries its historical significance has not changed and everything also means one of the most solemn events.

Development of ball culture in Russia

The first ball in Russia was given in 1606 in honor of the wedding of False Dmitry and Marina Mnishek. However, along with the severance of relations with the Polish state, ball culture has left Russia.

The tradition of ballroom festivals was reintroduced only 2 centuries later: in 1718, on the orders of Emperor Peter I in St. Petersburg, a magnificent ball was given. However, at the beginning of the XVIII century, this tradition did not take root. Only with the ascent to the throne of Catherine II, that is, by the end of the 18th century, the balls passed from the category of a rare celebration to an ordinary event, which happy to arrange for knowing, as well as honorary citizens of the city - teachers, doctors, etc. The first ball in Moscow was given in the walls of the hall of the Noble Assembly in the late 18th century.

Balls were given almost all the year round, except for the period of Lent. The season began at the end of September (the time when the nobility returned to the city from overseas trips and country residences) and ended in the last days of Maslenitsa. After the revolution of 1917, when the tsarist power was overthrown, the imperial traditions went into oblivion together with the imperial regime.

Typology of ballroom events

The balls differed according to the places where they were held - the main varieties were court and public.

Despite the fact that the ball is an entertaining dance event, the court festivals were distinguished by particular stiffness and strict requirements. Visitors to them were the city's nobility and intelligentsia, they were visited by the imperial suite and the most notable families of the city. At court balls the deviation from the canons of the ball rules was considered very indecent, and the atmosphere of the festivities was extremely official.

Public balls were significantly different from the court. Here, guests could dance happily, have fun, communicate and have fun. However, it was important to follow the etiquette norms here.

Ballroom Etiquette

Ball is a holiday, a magnificent celebration, prerequisites for the organization of which were like weddings and birthdays, and memorable dates and national holidays. However, at the same time, he demanded from the attendants to observe important formalities - ballroom etiquette. This is a whole set of rules in the ballroom culture, from manners of behavior to the tone of the dress.

We were 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 thematic, details of clothing or appearance were agreed, according to which the guests were obliged.

Within 2 or 3 days the invited person had to give an answer. Refuse to attend the ball was extremely indecent, and the only reason that relieved the invitee of responsibility for such uncivil behavior to the organizers was mourning, urgent departure or, in extreme cases, illness.

Particular attention should be paid to the element of ballroom etiquette, such as appearance and, in particular, clothing.

Ballroom Wardrobe

As the hero of the novel M. Bulgakov said with sarcasm: "That's all you have, as in the parade." This statement does not apply to ballroom etiquette, but fully reflects it. Guests are obliged to look at the ball as solemnly as at the parade: men in uniform tunics or ball suits (ball-tie with a tie), and women in dresses of a strictly established style. For the ladies to appear twice in the same outfit was the apogee of indecency. Every self-respecting woman was preparing a separate toilet for a new appearance. In this regard, invitations to events were sent out in advance, for 10-15 days, so that the guests managed to realize all the preparations.

Depending on the subject of the ball, he could be costume, monochrome, stylized. In addition to clothing, it was necessary to prepare attributes - masks, decorations, stylized elements, etc.

The hands of cavaliers and ladies decorated white gloves. They could not be removed even in the event of spoilage - for such cases, guests purchased a spare pair.

An important attribute of the women's wardrobe was the fan. With the help of it, the ladies fanned their faces and shoulders after the dancing dance, they also used this accessory in communicating with men.

Modern ballroom culture

Cultural education of the nation is one of the priority areas. Return to their roots and take a fresh look at the organization of celebrations, raise the level of their culture and join history help the newly organized ballroom events. The ball is primarily a kind of intelligent rest.

Ballroom culture is reviving in Russia today, and this has some success.

Modern balls are divided into historical, i.e., implying the reconstruction of famous events from the history of Russia, masquerades and stylistic. Stylistic balls are usually visited by people from one social category, which is determined by the belonging of the celebration. For example, in Moscow, a ball of dentists is annually held, and in Sevastopol a culture of officer balls develops. An important event of the outgoing year was the TATLER debutante ball, which was attended by young people from the most famous families in Moscow.

Organization of the celebration

Recently, teachers are interested in developing aesthetic taste in schoolchildren, as well as instilling norms and rules of etiquette. To teach children and teenagers the rules of behavior in society will help the ball. Depending on the age of participants, as well as the activities to which it is timed, it is necessary to prepare a scenario. On the autumn ball you can play a comic scene, which will rally students after the holidays and help you to get acquainted again with the participants who came to the collective. Scenario of the winter ball can be timed to New Year's festivities, and spring - to the upcoming vacation or farewell to the school.

Students and schoolchildren are very popular balls in the autumn period, because this is the time when the exams are still so far away, and in their minds are memories of a carefree summer. Depending on the variety of the ball (historical, stylistic or masquerade), the script for the autumn ball is required to select the appropriate one. For schoolchildren under 10 years old, you can take the story of a fairy tale or a cartoon on the basis, from 10 to 15 years - a film or a book. For high school students and students, it is possible to hold historical balls that will allow you to join with the history of your country together with entertainment.

Moscow Ballroom Events

The tradition of organizing and participating in balls is gradually reviving in Russia. After all, the ball is first of all a cultural event, a place where people can intelligently relax.

The main event of 2017 in the ballroom culture will be the Vienna Ball in Moscow, scheduled for May 20, 2017. Unfortunately, the acceptance of applications from the girls is already over, but the young men can try their luck and be at the specified event.

If you have the opportunity to go abroad, please note that today many travel agencies offer tours to balls around the world. In Austria, only in January 2017 will be about 12 similar events, including:

• 01/01/2012 - The Styrian Ball.
• 01/01/2012 - A ball of flowers.
• 01/14/2012 - Ball of the Viennese University of Economics and Business.
• 01/16/2012 - The ball of officers.
• 01.19.2017 - Ball of the Viennese Philharmonic Orchestra , etc.

For children until January 8 at the stadium "Luzhniki" will be a New Year's interactive play-ball "Battle with the Troll". The cost of tickets is from 500 to 2500 rubles.

A person who has got to the ball once, will never be able to organize his leisure in a different way. After all, what is a ball? This is history and culture without vulgarity, it is solemnity and splendor without pretentiousness, it is aesthetics and a clear example of how an intelligent and educated person should rest. If you consider yourself as such - welcome to the ball!