Saratov Christmas tree: plaid sarpinka and unusual Volskaya krashenka

The Saratov region Christmas tree was decorated with items of an old artistic craft of the region - Volskaya krashenka.

These are ceramic products with a dimpled pattern and painting. The style of Volskaya krashenka is unique, but almost unknown outside the region.

Specially for the New Year tree the artisans made the regional coat of arms in this style. It was approved in 1781. Its author was Count Franz Matveyevich (Martynovich) Santi, an Italian heraldist in the service of Peter the Great. The coat of arms depicts three sterlets, meaning "This country has a great abundance of such fish". In those days, the Volga fed the inhabitants of the region, and sterlet here was a symbol of prosperity.

Sterlets on the coat of arms are arranged in the form of the Greek letter "ypsilon", symbolizing the choice of a meritorious path at the crossroads of life.

The laconic decoration of the fir tree is supported by garlands imitating ribbons of "sarpinka", a traditional textile product of the region. Sarpinka is a light cotton fabric with a striped or plaid pattern. The name of the fabric comes from the name of the first place of production - Sarepta settlement.

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 trees came from the Moscow region, where they have been carefully cultivated for many years. After the exposition, the spruces will be planted near VDNH.