Nicki and Joey at the Ball

Colonel Joseph and Mrs Nicolette Hickox

On October 29, Ambassador Beyrle hosted an Enchanted Ball at his residence, Spaso House, to mark the 75th anniversary of the 1935 Ambassador Bullitt's legendary Spaso House Ball. Bullitt entertained his select group of guests, which included the Russian writer Mikhail Bulgakov, with live animals from the Moscow Zoo, an orchestra flown in from Prague, and hundreds of colorful finches. The ball inspired Bulgakov to write one of the most fantastical scenes in his renowned novel, "Master and Margarita."

*****In 2010, Ambassador Beyrle invited Russia's political, economic and cultural elite--to enjoy a modern interpretation of the original ball, which was highlighted by various references to Bulgakov's novel.

*****Two 1936 cars were parked in Spaso House's driveway and guests were greeted at the entry by a life-size cutout of Bulgakov. Spaso's guests went up the same grand staircase where the fictional Margarita met her guest in the original "Master and Margarita" manuscript.

*****Just as in 1935, the center piece of the Enchanted Ball was the Chandelier Room aviary. This time the aviary was a whimsical art installation with two colorful animal costume processions through the residence. Guests danced the night away to Russian and American music while a magician enthralled others, just like the "mysterious magician" entertained guests in the Bulgakov novel.

*****Ambassador Beyrel's celebration was a resounding success. You can watch the "Enchanted Ball" video by clicking on the link below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNND795E_p8

*****The video makes more sense if you have read the above. It is about 5 min long and at about 2:09 right after the trombone player you can see Joey sit down beside Nicki... The tall bald man in uniform dancing with his wife wearing a shiny jacket is Joey's boss. About 2:51 in the foreground is this guy with a Napoleon hair-do in the background is Joey's back and the silhouette of the back of Nicki.