Russian Ark 2002

On a cold winter’s day, a group of men and women arrive in a horse-drawn carriage at a lesser-known entrance of the Winter Palace to partake in a grand ball hosted by Emperor Alexander I. The first-person narrator encounters a mysterious and ethereal figure referred to as “the European,” seemingly reflecting the personality of a 19th-century French diplomat, possibly the Marquis de Custine. With a strong disdain for the Russian essence, he claims that Russians lack the ability to appreciate or create beauty, unlike their European counterparts, as evidenced by the luxurious treasures surrounding them.

As they journey through the palace’s splendid rooms, each space unfolds a different chapter of Russian history, albeit not in chronological sequence. The scenes depict notable moments such as Peter the Great confronting one of his generals, an extraordinary showcase of operas and performances from the Catherine the Great era, and a ceremonial audience where Tsar Nicholas I receives a formal apology from the Shah of Persia’s grandson, Khosrow Mirza, for the tragedy surrounding ambassador Alexander Griboyedov’s death in 1829. The idyllic childhood of Tsar Nicholas II’s children is portrayed alongside the traditional changing of the regiments of the Imperial Guard. The narrative poignantly captures contemporary tourists wandering the palace, the museum’s director murmuring about needed repairs during Joseph Stalin’s reign, and a desperate resident of Leningrad crafting his own coffin amidst the harrowing 900-day siege during World War II.

The narrative culminates in a magnificent ball in the Nicholas Hall, where attendees don exquisite period costumes and are enchanted by a full orchestra under the direction of Valery Gergiev, performing works by Mikhail Glinka. The European expresses his desire to remain in the beautiful and elegant world of 1913, while the narrator slowly retraces his steps to witness a diverse group of individuals from various eras departing the palace together. In a reflective moment, he quietly exits the procession, steps through a side door, and gazes upon the serene River Neva.