The Scenario of Power" and the Ceremonial Culture of Peterhof in the Time of Nicholas I
This article presents the tradition of the Peterhof celebrations in the time of Nicholas I from the point of view of the ceremonial culture and the idea of "the scenario of power" offered by R. Wortman. "The scenario of power" is "individual ways of presentation of the imperial myth". The basis of "the scenario of power" becomes the family and the idea of not acceptance of the throne. In this regard the important subject line is differentiation between private (family) and official (work) life, idealization of happy marriage and gentle relationship of parents and children is combined with asceticism of imperial work and splendour of imperial ceremonials. This article presents the topographical binding of subject lines of "the scenario of power" on the example of Peterhof. The author shows how the main idea of "the scenario of power" of Nicholas I is consolidated topographically - Alexandria becomes a family center, a private world, the Lower park with the Grand Palace and fountains is an official center. This bipolarity of the area is emphasized by "actions" happened in the Peterhof residence. The basic scenario of Peterhof celebrations and ceremonial features of some of them is provided. The scenario of power was implemented into two types of "actions" - "big" and "small". The "big actions" are ceremonials with accurate regulations (big imperial exits), the "small actions" are so-called "cultural performances" (family tea drinking in the face of the public).