New Year tree of the Lipetsk region: Yelets lace and Romanov whistles
The
decoration of the fir tree represents the famous Romanov toys. The traditional
craft of making clay toys and whistles began to develop actively in the 19th
century, simultaneously with the development of the Lipetsk resort. Following the tastes of spa guests, craftsmen
began to sculpt new subjects: officers in ceremonial uniforms, dressed-up
ladies, walking couples, rich outings in baby carriages.
The New Year composition is decorated with the products of another famous folk craft of the region - Yuryev ceramics. The exact time of origin of the craft of the village of Yuriev is unknown.
It flourished in the XVII-XIX centuries. Local
soils were famous for their colorful plastic clays, while local craftsmen were
known for their artful products.
Garlands imitating the famous Yelets lace became a special accent on the New Year tree of the Lipetsk region. Yelets lace weaving was formed in the late XVIII - early XIX centuries based on samples brought from Europe - from Germany, Belgium and France, but soon local artists emerged and developed their own distinctive style.
On the Main Alley of VDNH visitors are greeted by 89 New Year trees, each of them representing a region of the country with its folk arts, crafts and traditions. And the 90th blue spruce symbolizes the RUSSIA EXPO itself.
