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Hand-made souvenirs are among the most sought after items among tourists who travel to Russia. One such sovenir is a famous symbol of Russia itself - the nesting doll, also known as matryoshka. Many may be familar with its iconic image but few know their true story.
Matryoshka is a Russian word that’s traveled around the world. Born 120 years ago in this yellow building in the center of Moscow, today matryoshkas are not just toys, but an important symbol of Russia itself.
The owner of the estate was Sava Mamontov - an industrialist1 and patron of the arts. Nowadays, the building has been turned into a matryoshka museum. Though many traditional handicrafts don’t have an exact birthday, this one is different.
The museum's director, Irina Chertovich, said, "There are two versions of the creation story of matryoshka. The first is that it originated from the Japanese puppet "Seven Lucky Gods". The second is that it’s from the Easter Egg. The matryoshka was born in 1898."
The first version is more commonly accepted. It is said that artist Sergei Maliutin, patronized by a Mr. Mamontov, was intrigued2 by the Japanese dolls in Mamontov’s house. So he decided3 to make something similar but with a Russian flavor. Later Maliutin’s wife sent his works to the Paris Expo, where the doll won an award, and gained its fame.
Nowadays "supermatreshkas" can boast up to 72 dolls, with the smallest a scant4 one millimeter high.
The best timber for matryoshka is soft linden wood. The timber is usually cut down in early spring, separated from its bark, and kept in the open air for at least two to three years to dry. Besides a simple ruler, the only tool needed is a lathe5. Processed molds can later be sent to factories or private studios.
Most matryoshka sold in the market are mass produced. But more creative pieces are usually made in studios, and are therefore more expensive.
Nowadays many people are not satisfied with simply purchasing matryoshka, they like to decorate them themselves. In the matryoshka museum, children can’t wait to have a try after visiting.
Painting is an essential part in making matryoshka. Of course, the act is loaded with symbolism. Traditionally, red signifies happiness, and yellow wisdom, while green means health.
Matryoshka is one of the few Russian words that foreigners widely recognize. So it’s no surprise that in Russia the dolls are sold nearly everywhere. Some have even come to see them as a classic tourist-trap souvenier. But to Russians, matryoshka are much more than a set of dolls.
Teacher and artist Natasha at the museum said, "I hope people will always remember matryoshka. It’s the symbol of Russia. Its decoration is so beautiful. Its face shows Russian people's kindness. The matryoshka is based on motherhood."
词汇点拨：
souvenirs 纪念品
matryoshka 俄罗斯套娃
be familar with 熟悉
estate 财产，遗产，庄园,
handicraft 手工艺品
puppet 木偶
lathe 车床
is based on 以...为基础
文化链接：
俄罗斯套娃是俄罗斯特产木制玩具，一般由多个一样图案的空心木娃娃一个套一个组成，最多可达十多个，通常为圆柱形，底部平坦可以直立。最普通的图案是一个穿着俄罗斯民族服装的姑娘，叫做“玛特廖什卡”，这也成为这种娃娃的通称。但后来也有用童话中的人物形象做的，近些年来，戈尔巴乔夫的形象也被做成套娃娃，后来发展到勃列日涅夫、赫鲁晓夫、斯大林甚至列宁也成为套娃娃的形象。
套娃娃最早是在1890年才在俄罗斯出现，据说是受了日本玩具的启发。以前俄罗斯就有木制的套苹果和复活节彩蛋，以前的复活节彩蛋是一个王冠，套着一只母鸡，母鸡套着一只蛋，蛋里面还套着一个蛋黄。
据说最早是画家马留丁在企业家马门托夫那里见到一套日本七福神的玩具，最外面是秃头的寿星，里面套着七个神像，他受到启发，设计了一套玩具，由匠人斯维朵什金刻制，他自己画的，原来是一个姑娘套着一个小伙子，再套一个姑娘等，最后是一个婴儿。
1900年，马留丁的妻子将这套娃娃提交到巴黎的世界博览会，得了铜牌奖，很快俄罗斯各地都开始制造这种娃娃。而且形象逐渐统一到玛特罗什卡，现在已经成为俄罗斯的特产和纪念品的形象，其他北欧国家甚至也有制作出售的，不过这个姑娘的服装还是俄罗斯的民族服装
收听单词发音 |
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industrialist
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| n.工业家，实业家 | |
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2
intrigued
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| adj.好奇的，被迷住了的v.搞阴谋诡计(intrigue的过去式)；激起…的兴趣或好奇心；“intrigue”的过去式和过去分词 | |
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decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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scant
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| adj.不充分的，不足的；v.减缩，限制，忽略 | |
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lathe
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| n.车床，陶器，镟床 | |
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