Hospitality customs of the landed nobility of Belarus of late XVIII – early XX centuries

Abstract

The article analyzes the hospitality customs of the landed nobility of Belarus in the late XVIII − early XX centuries. The rational reasons for the perception of this tradition in the public opinion of the privileged class of Belarus of the considered period as an unconditional value are determined. A description of the main elements of the gift-giving customs; the basic rules and norms are given. The mechanisms of its functioning in relation to different social groups are shown. The structure of the guest reception ritual is analyzed. Much attention is paid to the phenomenon of table manners in the article. The importance of the hospitality customs and, in particular, the festive ritual in the presentation of the social status of representatives of the privileged class and the identification of intragroup differentiation is noted. It is noted that at the same time it was a tool for the socio-political mobilization of the privileged class and a way to preserve class solidarity.