Another magnificent festivity written in history was the Grand Divertissement Royal (1668). It was dedicated to success in the War of Devolution (1667-1668) and to the first capture of Franche-Compté, an important strategic goal in all the French wars of that period. This celebration was especially interesting as it was mainly arranged in just made Versailles gardens. The Bosquet of the E’toile was the center, reminding of the fact that the Sun was a star too, spreading its warm beams all over the world. First Versailles gardens were extremely impressive, decorated with fresh cut statues, glitter with bronze, cheerful sounds of just opened fountains and veiled with a bewitching blend of blossoming plants. (The celebration took place on the 18th of July).
As always our main maitres of art, Jean-Baptiste Lully & Moliére, prepared a set of amazing entertainments, including dancing and a ballet-comedy named “George Dandin ou le Mari Confondu”/”George Dandin or the Confounded Husband“about an arrogant rich peasant who got married with a noble lady . The Court liked the comedy very much, while the name George Dandin became common.
In the libretto printed by Robert Ballard (1668) Moliére declares: “Translating from the language of Gods to the language of Men, the KING is a great King in all & we don’t see any reason why his glory must be reduced by some qualities lowering him to the level of Men…this is a King from all point of view: no work humiliates him; no activity deforms him; he is always himself and so he is recognized everywhere…”
These days the whole Fairy world is celebrating the Solstice. And in Versailles the Queen Fairy Versalia & the King Fairy Apollonium remember the great times of Louis XIV, whirling among enigmatic scents of herbs & trees, singing under night sounds of waters & returning back to the world the dazzling recollection of those mysterious days. For the true beauty & art will always be themselves, as they reign the Universe we stay into.
Vive le Roy! Happy Solstice! 🙂 🙂 🙂
Maria KethuProfumo
eternamenta 
Interesting stuff, as always, Maria
Thanks, dear Don!
They lived a marvelous life, didn’t they? So much lovely entertainment and interesting food; I can see why the peasants were jealous.
And who told you they were? For common people of that time the king was the pepresenter of the Divine. People adored him, they considered him to be the Father, as the king always acted for their good. Besides, peasants never lived so bad as revolutioners describe. There were good and lean years, for sure, but mostly people lived & ate well. And washed too! Besides entertainment was not entertaiment as we understand it. It was a routine of the Court life, which main meaning was to serve the king. Believe it was really difficult, was the Court was a place of constant career battles. Nothing was certain.
You make a good point, Maria. I only know what I have read in selected books and books often manipulate the truth.
Thanks, dear Robbie. Oh, well…as a specialist on the 17th century who follows the position of the truth or a moderate history, if be more precise, I should explain the issues. I would be really surprised if you wrote me the opposite from what you did. Unfortunately history has been edited pretty well. But it is never late to change the situation. I’m really very happy that all of you enjoy the topic.
La descrizione nella parte ultima del post è bellissima.
Grazie, cara Fulvialuna!
makes going back
so delightful, dear Maria 🙂
Thanks, dear friend!