Tatiana Romanov, Daughter of the Last Tsar: Diaries and Letters, 1913–1918 has been released last month.
Read more TATIANA ROMANOV: DAUGHTER OF THE LAST TSAR. DIARIES AND LETTERS 1913-1918.
In 2016, a new group of experts will be conducting a comprehensive examination of the remains of Romanov family members: Tsarevich Alexei and Grand Duchess Maria. According to Bishop Tikhon (Shevkunov), Vicar of the Patriarch of Moscow, time period of the new investigation is not being limited, and it is possible that it may take “two to three years“. “We are very grateful to the leadership of the country today -His Holiness the Patriarch was informed that there will be no deadline, no hurry, no time limit will be set for this examination,” added Shevkunov. Read more ROMANOV FAMILY REMAINS UPDATE: NEW STUDY MAY TAKE THREE YEARS.
From the 1916 diary of Alexei Romanov:
New Year celebrations are arguably the most major holidays in modern Russia. One of the traditional treats on a Russian New Year’s table are mandarin oranges. This fruit was not native to Russia – it was introduced only a few years prior to the Russian revolution – by a member of the Romanov family Grand Duke Peter of Oldenburg, a great grandson of Tsar Nicholas I and first husband of Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna, sister of Tsar Nicholas II.
Read more ROMANOV FAMILY: HOW MANDARIN ORANGES BECAME RUSSIA’S NEW YEAR TREAT
Thousands of guests were invited to the first imperial ball of the New Year. The balls usually took place in late January or early February at the Winter Palace. The first dance was the official polonaise, performed of course by the first couple of the nation – Emperor Nicholas II and Empress Alexandra. After this initial ceremonial dance, the fun began consisting of mazurkas, polkas and waltzes.
The waiters walked around offering sweets like candies, ice cream and fruit, as well as soft drinks and champagne. Having danced for a couple of hours, the guests moved on to the banquet.
Read more ROMANOV FAMILY: NEW YEAR’S BALLS
The Romanov family celebrated New Year relatively intimately and quietly, without any major fanfare. January 1st was a regular work day for Nicholas II, but a festive table was set up for the visitors. Those who came in to see the Tsar with reports on New Year’s Day were offered zakuski (cold meat snacks or pickled vegetables) but did not normally linger at the table for too long nor overindulged in vodka.
The imperial couple preferred to dine with a circle of close friends, but it was always a first class meal. At court there were three dining classes: the first was for the members of the imperial family, the second – for the imperial suite and dignitaries invited to court, and the third was for the servants. Read more ROMANOV FAMILY: NEW YEAR MEALS
