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We got used to see Moscow illuminated and bright in any season, especially in New Year time. Although first electric lamps appeared in Moscow in Hermitage garden only in 1880. Each evening folks applauded its lighting.In 1883, in the days of Alexander III coronation, the square in front of Christ the Saviour Cathedral was lit with a help of 22 arc lamps. Ivan the Great bell tower was also illuminated. The first street supplied with electricity was Tverskaya street. The theater located nearby, on Kamergersky lane was also the first one to be electrified. Such kind of lighting impressed people a lot. A famous Moscow journalist and writer, Gilyarovsky described the "electrified" ball in the following way:
"The story took place in the middle eighties.First electrical illumination was installed in a merchant's house occupied by a young widow who was a billionaire. The first ball illuminated with electricity was set to take place at her house. The luxurious palace with numerous rooms was glittering with multicolored lamps. Only dance hall was lit in bright white light. All of life wasting Moscow society from the nobles to the merchants got together. The hostess of the house was made up according to the new lighting. She looked gorgeous while other Moscow women of fashion in diamonds and silks, in new electrical light of the dance hall appeared to be poorly-colored dolls. They got used to gas-burner and lamps. The beautiful hostess was the only one who had natural complexion."
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