“Miss Russia 1932”: how Russian emigrants held beauty contests 90 years ago
“On January 31, the editorial office of Illustrated Russia held elections for Miss Russia for 1932. The chosen one turned out to be Nina Aleksandrovna Pol, a native of St. Petersburg, 18 years old, the daughter of a major general in the naval department. She is a slender brown-haired woman with large, transparent light blue eyes. 12 candidates competed with her.
How do elections happen? At the appointed hour, twelve contenders for the title of “most beautiful” must appear before the “terrible” jury. However, it’s not scary at all, it’s a jury. The kindest Alexander Ivanovich Kuprin, who created so many beautiful images of Russian girls, jokes with journalists. In his opinion, every girl will become truly beautiful the moment she hands her firstborn to her father with a smile. Here is Konstantin Aleksandrovich Korovin, a venerable academician, the pride of Russian painting.
The Russian woman is represented by Nadezhda Vasilievna Plevitskaya, an incomparable performer of Russian songs, who knows and feels Russian beauty. The director of Illustrated Russia, B.A., takes a seat next to them. Gordon, A.I. Khatisov, art. Mud et al. After the first round, the first vote. Of the total number of candidates, 6 were left. They are invited to the jury room together. A new exam, a few questions – and a new vote. As a result, there are three contenders.
The most difficult part of the election begins. While the jury is deliberating and voting, the last three competitors are photographed. And when they leave the photographer’s room, the name of the chosen one is already known. Nina Alexandrovna Pol, Miss Russia 1932, is greeted with applause and champagne. In a minute, she is at the mercy of the journalists. After the heavy artillery of lenses and magnesium flares – a rapid fire interview. Common questions in such cases. Short, excited answers. — Yes, I am a native of St. Petersburg. I’m learning to dance from Preobrazhenskaya. Do I love my art? Crazy. My father? He was an official of the maritime department in St. Petersburg. They fled from Russia with the first evacuation from Novorossiysk. We lived in Serbia for a long time. There she studied at the gymnasium and started dancing. Are you happy that I was chosen? A radiant smile and eyes sparkling with happiness are the best answer to this question. The elections are over. Ahead of “Miss Russia” is a ball at the Opera, a delightful train to the Riviera and, finally, the last decisive competition for the title of the most beautiful girl in Europe.”
(“Illustrated Russia” (Paris), February 6, 1932)
“ВЧК ОГПУ”
