Matryoshka as a symbol of the Russian soul: from folk craft to contemporary design
The matryoshka doll is a symbol of the depth and mystery of the Russian soul. It has preserved and carried through the years the atmosphere and spirit of national culture. These ideas were discussed during the session "Matryoshka: A Nation Within a Nation" on 2 November at the National Centre RUSSIA, as part of a series of educational sessions dedicated to the country’s national symbols. The event took place within the framework of the "Peoples of Russia and the CIS" International Festival held under the auspices of the Security Council of the Russian Federation.
"The matryoshka is one of the most recognisable symbols not only in Russia but also far beyond its borders. When foreigners are asked what they associate with Russia, they most often name the balalaika, the matryoshka and the bear. It’s a very philosophical question — what is the matryoshka really? In essence, it is a nation within a nation. I travel a lot around the country and see that we have a huge number of nationalities — a true nation within a nation," said the session moderator, journalist, TV presenter and author of the project "We and They", Maria Shakhova.
The matryoshka has become one of the most vivid symbols of Russian culture, alongside other traditional crafts such as Khokhloma and Palekh, as well as ensembles performing modern interpretations of folk music, said the founder of the cultural centre "Istok", producer and actress Sofia Ernst. According to her, although there is now a tendency towards unification, the matryoshka still carries deep meaning and associations, serving as a gateway into the depths of Russian traditional culture.
"Why did the matryoshka become such a bright symbol? Why is it associated with something truly Russian, native and traditional, even though it appeared only at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries? Of course, we have older crafts. But the matryoshka emerged at a very important moment for our country, when great attention was given to Russian traditional culture and folk art. It has preserved and carried through the years our atmosphere, our spirit, and our sense of mystery," she said.
The matryoshka is a clear and accessible symbol that speaks to all generations, believes actress Yekaterina Golovko. According to her, the doll embodies ideas connected to the role of women in society, conveys love, kindness, mutual support and family values, and inspires people to grow and create.
"I want to believe that people understand the great responsibility that comes with working with a symbol that carries the national idea of Russia. It is no coincidence that the matryoshka serves as an ambassador of the Russian style and spirit abroad: its brightness, softness and warmth reflect the creative and sunny side of the Russian people and Russian culture," she noted.
Yekaterina Golovko added that the principle of the matryoshka can be found in music, where one melodic theme unfolds in the exposition and develops into another. A similar idea exists in cinema, where layers and hidden meanings are expressed through the structure of events. She cited Christopher Nolan’s film "Inception" as an example — as one storyline gives rise to another, and then another, the film structure itself resembles a matryoshka.
"The matryoshka is a powerful cultural brand, and the admiration it evokes is well deserved. It is part of decorative and applied art, a toy, an ornament, an object that can be kept at home and interacted with. What interests me is how we can draw on the experience of our ancestors and continue working with its form in modern design. This is not about giving the matryoshka a ‘second life’, but rather about continuing the craft tradition naturally. Its shape is convenient and appealing due to its conceptual complexity, and this opens many possibilities for its use in modern contexts — digitalisation, interior and product design," said designer Nikita Lukinsky, author of the Telegram channel on Russian aesthetics "Unezhit Dushu" ("To Soothe the Soul").
He suggested that the matryoshka could be used not only as a toy or souvenir but also as an element of home decor. The designer presented examples of how the image of the matryoshka can be integrated into everyday life. According to him, new collections already include lamps, mirrors, tea sets, smart speaker stands and many other household items.
The International Festival "Peoples of Russia and the CIS" runs from 31 October to 5 November at the National Centre RUSSIA, the World Trade Centre and the Moskino Cinema Park. The programme includes educational and cultural events, expositions and masterclasses aimed at uniting representatives of government bodies and the expert community.
The festival is organised by the Federal Agency for Ethnic Affairs (FADN of Russia) in coordination with the Security Council of the Russian Federation, the Presidential Executive Office of Russia, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia, with the participation of the Ministry of Culture of Russia, Rossotrudnichestvo, the Moscow Government, Moskino, Gazprom-Media Holding, RUTUBE, the Russian society Znanie, the Russian Geographical Society, ROSKINO JSC, the Regional Film Support Foundation, and the Internet Development Institute.
Event photobank
The programme opened with several major cultural and educational events.
The 20th anniversary of the Civic Chamber of the Russian Federation, the "Peoples of Russia and the CIS" took place this week.
Seven film screenings at once were held at the National Centre RUSSIA as part of the film forum of the "Peoples of Russia and the CIS" International Festival.
