Assemblies

Categories / Population/Urban Living
ASSEMBLIES (from French assemblee, gathering), introduced by Peter the Great as a form of higher society, following the European model. The Decree of 26.11.1718, announced by St. Petersburg general chief of police A.M. Devier, determined the procedure of assemblies in private lodgings "not only for amusement, but for business too, for one may meet another and chat over whatever is necessary to chat about". According to the Decree, persons "from high ranks up to chief-officers and noblemen", and eminent merchants, chief artisans, distinguished officials with wives and daughters could take part in assemblies. Russian women appeared in public for the first time thanks to this decree, free from the reclusion of their chambers. The first assembly took place in St. Petersburg on November 27, 1718 in the house of P.I. Buturlin; later on the assemblies were arranged in the houses of eminent noblemen and merchants (every dignitary or wealthy negotiator was obliged to organize at least one assembly a year), in Peter's palaces, in the Summer Garden and in Peterhof. The tsar himself always participated in the assemblies; later his wife (see Catherine I) also joined him. Assemblies were to begin no earlier than 4 -5 p.m. and to finish not later than 10 p.m. The ceremony of host's meeting the guests was abandoned; now guests were allowed to come and go without saying good-bye at any time. A host had to prepare several rooms for dancing, entertainment, food and drinks. Dances remained among principal ways of entertainment; and were divided into two types: ceremonial and English. During dances a cavalier could invite any lady, be it the tsarina herself. At assemblies a brass band, then a string band, would play. Peter the Great himself set the style of dances, and frequently performed the functions of master of ceremonies, thus contributing to acting en impromptu and trying to stir up all the participants. At assemblies various jokes and competitions were held; those who were found delinquent or lost were assigned a penalty by the sovereign: they had to drink a huge bowl of wine or vodka. At the end of one assembly the meeting point of the next assembly was usually arranged. After the death of Peter the Great, only distinguished noblemen were permitted to enter assemblies, and gradually these gatherings turned into balls for nobility.

References: Богословский М. М. Быт и нравы русского дворянства в первой половине XVIII века. М., 1906; Семенова Л. Н. Очерки истории быта и культурной жизни России: Первая половина XVIII в. Л., 1982; Келлер Е. Э. Праздничная культура Петербурга: Очерки истории. СПб., 2001.

Y. N. Kruzhnov. Buturlin Peter Ivanovich
Catherine I, Empress
Devier (De Vierra) Anton Manuilovich
Peter I, Emperor
Semenova Lidia Nikolaevna
Богословский М. М. Быт и нравы русского дворянства в первой половине XVIII века. М., 1906
Семенова Л. Н. Очерки истории быта и культурной жизни России: Первая половина XVIII в. Л., 1982
Келлер Е. Э. Праздничная культура Петербурга: Очерки истории. СПб., 2001 Nobles
Merchants
1718