new year – The Romanov Family

January 2, 2016Helen Azar No Comments

ROMANOV FAMILY: HOW MANDARIN ORANGES BECAME RUSSIA’S NEW YEAR TREAT

Grand Duke Peter of Olderburg, the first husband of Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna, sister of Tsar Nicholas II, was the Romanov family member who introduced mandarin oranges into Russia. — Grand Duke Peter of Oldenburg (right), the first husband of Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna, sister of Tsar Nicholas II, was the Romanov family member who introduced mandarin oranges into Russia.

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.

December 31, 2015Helen Azar No Comments

ROMANOV FAMILY: NEW YEAR’S BALLS

Nicholas II and Empress Alexandra dressed as Alexei I and Maria Miloslavskaya, at the Winter Palace's last Imperial ball before the Russian revolution. — Nicholas II and Empress Alexandra dressed as Tsar Alexei I and Tsaritsa Maria Miloslavskaya, for the Winter Palace’s last Imperial ball prior to the Russian revolution.

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.

December 31, 2015Helen Azar No Comments

ROMANOV FAMILY: NEW YEAR MEALS

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

December 29, 2015Helen Azar No Comments

ROMANOV FAMILY: NEW YEAR WISHES

Grand Duchesses Olga, Tatiana, Maria and Anastasia with their mother Empress Alexandra

1915 New Year’s card from Olga, Tatiana, Maria and Anastasia to their mother:

“Wishing the sweetest of mothers a happy Year New fr[om] her foolish but very loving daughters.

Olga, Tatiana, Maria, Anastasia”

August 8, 2015Helen Azar No Comments

Grand Duchess Elisabeth Feodorovna’s 1905 postcard

Rare Christmas postcard written by Grand Duchess Elisabeth to Elena Georgievna, Princess of Mecklenburg-Strelitz (great-granddaughter of Tsar Paul I). Ella wrote the address in Russian because this postcard was going to a Russian destination (St Petersburg), but the actual message with the Christmas greetings and wishes for a peaceful 1905 was written in German. Ironically 1905 turned out to be anything but a peaceful for Ella (and for the rest of the Romanov family for that matter), starting with her husband’s, Grand Duke Sergei’s assassination just a few weeks later. Read more Grand Duchess Elisabeth Feodorovna’s 1905 postcard