Fireworks

Categories / Population/Urban Living
FIREWORKS (in the 18th century - poteshnye ogni, toy-lights). The tradition of lighting firecrackers on holidays in St. Petersburg was introduced by Peter I. Fireworks were usually combined with illumination - luminous scenery (allegories), and were accompanied by music, cannon firing, chimes etc. In the 18th century M.V. Lomonosov, A.P. Sumarokov and other eminent writers took part in scripting ceremonies of fireworks. In the 19th century fireworks were an obligatory part of city festivities, they were organized during private celebrations, popular carnivals etc. Since the early 20th century fireworks have been usually combined with an artillery salute. On January 27, 1944, the day when the siege was raised, the fireworks lasted for several hours without a break. Now fireworks are organized for different private festivities.

References: Штелин Я. Краткая история искусства фейерверков в России // Записки Якоба Штелина. М., 1990. Т. 1. С. 238-272; Трапенок В.А., Антонова Л.А. От маленькой хлопушки до большого фейерверка. СПб., 1997.

Y. N. Kruzhnov. Lomonosov Mikhail Vasilievich
Peter I, Emperor
Sumarokov Alexander Petrovich
Штелин Я. Краткая история искусства фейерверков в России // Записки Якоба Штелина. М., 1990
Трапенок В. А., Антонова Л. А. От маленькой хлопушки до большого фейерверка. СПб., 1997 1711