MINSK, 2 November (BelTA) - For the first time since the Radziwill times the Nesvizh Castle will open its doors for a court ball. The old traditions of aristocratic balls will be revived at Nesvizh for one night, BelTA learnt form spokesperson for the Culture Ministry of Belarus Yulia Viskub. The new project has been initiated by the Culture Ministry. In fact, the court ball in Nesvizh continues the tradition of court balls which for the past three years has been cultivated at the National Academic Bolshoi Opera and Ballet Theater of the Republic of Belarus. History and modernity will connect in the residence of the Radziwill noble family on 10 November, and the guests will make a journey back in time, and will experience the scale and luxury of an ancient court ball. The castle will welcome the long-awaited with bright torches, riding knights, red carpet and champagne. The guests will also attend an auction to raise funds for the restoration of the Castle of Novogrudok, the specimen of the historical and cultural heritage of the 16th century. According to filmmaker Veronika Ilyash, the main purpose of the balls is dancing and socializing. This is why people gathered for the balls many decades ago. So is the case now. On the Belarusian land the tradition of court balls started in the 18th century, and the brightest of them were held at the Radziwill castle. This secular event had its rules, sequence of dance and etiquette. An integral part of the ball was the orchestra. Reception always ended with dinner. Veronika Ilyash said: “We are starting to revive the tradition of holding balls lost some time ago. This is a good thing. The organizers are looking not simply to recreate the program of a Radziwill ball but make it interesting for contemporary people who are not accustomed to such activities. First of all, we have kept the tradition of opening the ball with a polonaise. Then there will be lots of waltzes which were loved back then, and are loved now.” The spacious halls of the castle - Golden, Theatrical, Hetman, Hunter and others -will host varied events. Guests will be able to enjoy small mini-performances based on the novels by Belarusian authors including Ursula Radziwill, games and other events. The magic atmosphere of the Nesvizh Castle, the restored interior of the halls will help the guests immerse in the atmosphere of the distant past of gallant knights and beautiful ladies. Organizers of the project include the Culture Ministry of Belarus, the national historical and cultural museum-reserve Nesvizh, with the support of the Minsk Oblast Executive Committee. The court ball project is carried out fully on the sponsorship assistance including from more than a dozen local companies. БЕЛТА
Written by belta.by
