Concept in Definition ABC

One of the best-known decorative elements in Russia is the matrioshka. It is a doll of wood and with striking colors that presents a singular characteristic: each figure is hollow inside and inside there are a series of smaller dolls. Thus, its originality consists in the fact that each female figure carries her own "daughter" within her. Although the number of them can vary, normally the number of units is small.

As for the word matrioshka, in Russian it means peasant. These figures They symbolize motherhood and fertility, since each being inside the other, the idea of ​​giving birth is communicated.

Curiosities about Russian dolls

- These figures became known at the end of the 19th century and came from Japan (in a short time they became popular among the population Russian and reached the toy stores in Moscow). According to another version, its origin is related to Russian folk legends.

-In Russia, if someone receives a matrioshka as a gift, he has to make a wish and when it is fulfilled it is possible to open its interior to start the same ritual again.

- It is one of the typical souvenirs that tourists buy when they visit Russia (its decorative elements are peasant costumes, but there are also figurines that refer to nature and legends popular). In recent decades, those representing political leaders have also become fashionable.

- In the Exposition International de Paris of 1900 the first matrioshka was officially presented.

- During the Soviet period they were exported to different western countries and when the Soviets began race space Russian dolls were made with appearance of cosmonauts.

- In the Russian capital there is a museum dedicated to these decorative figures.

Other typical elements of Russian culture and tradition

Favorite sports are ice hockey, soccer, and basketball. Some of the typical dishes are the Olivie salad, the herring in coat, the black caviar garnished with watercress and a vegetable soup called borsh. Wodka is the national drink and is consumed to mitigate the cold and even to accompany meals. The dance most representative is the kalinka.

Tourists visiting the country They usually buy objects related to the Soviet period, as well as semi-precious stones, hats or ushankas, boots or valenkis or food products such as zefir or caviar. Finally, in addition to the matrioshkas, another of the typical souvenirs are the wooden tableware painted by hand in bright colors and which are known as khokhlomá.

Photo Fotolia: Youri500