Reviving History, Preserving Traditions: The Legacy of the Legendary Tver Master at the RUSSIA EXPO

At the RUSSIA EXPO department store, among the numerous wooden items, these bright and expressive figurines immediately catch the eye. The works of the "Tver Souvenirs" artel tell the story of the region's culture and history, depict everyday scenes, and bring fairy tale characters to life.

Today, the "Tver Souvenirs" company produces more than two hundred types of wooden items using lathe and carpentry techniques, including burning, carving, and painting, with or without lacquer finishing. These include decorative figurines, children's toys, boxes, and cutting boards. The company's history began in 1935 and continues to this day, largely thanks to the dedication of its craftsmen.

A significant contribution to the artel's work and the formation of its unique, recognizable style was made by Yuri Nikolaevich Fokin. The future master's childhood coincided with the harsh years of the Great Patriotic War. Yuri's father went to the front, and the children of front-line soldiers received gifts on holidays. One day, the boy was given felt boots with the words, "This is from your father, from the front." Saving his "father's gift" from under the wheels of a freight train (the boot had fallen off after an unfortunate fall), the eight-year-old boy almost died and lost his hands. However, the terrible injury did not prevent Yuri from growing up as an ordinary boy, studying, playing football, and engaging in social work alongside his classmates. He also developed a passion for drawing.

At the age of 21, Yuri started working as a painter at the "Artistic Products" artel (the future "Tver Souvenirs" enterprise). The basics of the craft were taught to him by the old masters, who instilled in him respect for traditions and love for his work. It soon became clear that Yuri was not just a painter but a creator with an incredible talent for developing new designs. His inspiration came from everyday scenes and Russian folk tales. With special tenderness, the master made toys for children, whom he loved very much. Over time, he enjoyed taking on apprentices who, even after his departure, preserved his legacy.

During his career, Yuri Fokin developed more than a thousand items that are still in demand today. His compositions have been exhibited in our country and abroad: in Japan, Belgium, Canada, and Bulgaria. Many of Yuri Nikolaevich's works have earned their place in the museums of Tver and Moscow. For his talent and hard work, the master was awarded orders and received the title of Honored Worker of Culture of Russia.

Yuri Fokin dedicated his entire life to his native enterprise, where today, the share of creative manual labor by the craftsmen in producing unique and artistic items exceeds 71%. The enterprise uses wood only from deciduous species grown in environmentally friendly areas. From the moment the forest is felled to the production of the final sample, the artistic item goes through 10 stages.

All products are certified, approved by the Art Council of Russia, and classified as items of folk art. The enterprise is one of the founders of the "Folk Art Crafts of the Tver Region" Association and is part of the "Folk Art Crafts of Russia" Association.

You can purchase "Tver Souvenirs" brand products at the RUSSIA EXPO department store.