2. Peter the Great’s Dwarf-Tossing Parties
Peter I of Russia, renowned for modernizing his country, hosted extravagant parties featuring ‘dwarf-tossing’ competitions, viewing them as entertainment for his nobles. These events often involved compulsory participation from dwarves in his court, reflecting his sometimes-cruel sense of humor and his challenge to traditional Russian customs. Such spectacles were part of Peter’s broader efforts to reshape Russian society by introducing Western European customs and mocking the existing nobility’s pretensions. (thevintagenews.com)
