New Year tree of the Kaluga region: colored embroidery and ancient ceramics
The New Year decoration is based on unique crafts from ancient Tarusa: embroidery and pottery.
Kaluga perevit, or pulled thread embroidery, is a unique folk art craft. Embroidery was performed on fabric, thinned to the state of a net - craftswomen pulled out part of the transverse and longitudinal threads from the fabric. The fabric base was wrapped with brightly colored threads, which is the origin of the name "perevit".
Embroidery is characterized by complex compositions and geometric ornamentation. Folk motifs carry the memory of ancient rituals and amulets.
Large deposits of clay contributed to the development of pottery and brick crafts in the region. Tarusa ceramics is characterized by simple laconic forms. All products are handmade. Plant ornaments prevail in painting. Recently the traditional local method of processing - black glazing - has been revived here.
The Christmas tree was also decorated with Khludnevo ceramics - bright original toys made of light clay. Khludnevo toys are not painted as a whole, only separate details are colored: feathers of birds, outlines and parts of the animal's bodies. Multicolored stripes alternating with stripes of natural clay background are typical for this craft.
On the Main Alley of VDNH visitors are greeted by 89 New Year trees, each of them representing a region of the country. The RUSSIA EXPO is open from Tuesday through Sunday, Monday is a technical day. The best time to visit is in the mornings and weekdays, but the exposition is open to everyone on weekends as well. All expositions and events are free of charge.
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