Christmas tree of the Tver region: luxurious gold embroidery and wood painting

The art of Torzhok gold embroidery makers is the basis of the New Year decoration of the Tver spruce at the VDNH.

Torzhok is the only old Russian town where the folk art craft of gold embroidery has been historically formed and is still developing.

Back in the 19th century gold embroiderers of Torzhok embroidered for the tsar's court and even made a coat of arms porphyry for the coronation of Alexander II. Many of these items are now kept in the State Hermitage and Armory.

When sewing with gold a spun gold or kanitel in Russian is often used - it is a metal twisted wire. Most often stars and epaulettes are embroidered with spun gold. This is a very difficult, painstaking work. This is where the Russian expression "Well, what are you kanitelling for?" came from, which means "lingering", "loitering".

A reminder of Tver as one of the ancient Russian cities became wooden painted figures of Vasilisa, made by craftsmen of the Tver region.

On the Main Alley of VDNH visitors are greeted by 89 fir trees, each of which represents a region of the country with its folk arts and crafts and traditions.And the 90th blue spruce represents the RUSSIA EXPO itself.

The International RUSSIA EXPO is the most important achievements of the country gathered in one place. During the whole period of the Exposition, guests are welcomed with cultural and entertainment events, a rich business and educational program. The expositions of 89 Russian regions, leading federal departments, corporations and public organizations are presented to the visitors.