Description of the attraction
Next to the chapel dedicated to the patroness of St. Petersburg, Xenia the Blessed, there is another remarkable place - a museum, where dolls are exhibited as exhibits. It is called the Museum of Dolls.
The museum was opened in 1998 (it is non-governmental), its base was the Russian Ethnographic Museum, and it also provides scientific and methodological guidance. The basis of the museum's funds was originally exhibits that previously belonged to private collectors. Subsequently, the funds of the museum began to replenish at the expense of modern author's and antique dolls. This museum provides an opportunity to get acquainted with the history of dolls from the very beginning of their appearance (archaic times) to the present day.
The exposition is located in eight halls, which contain different types: interior doll; fabulous doll; doll of Russian folklore; holiday doll; traditional ritual doll; theatrical puppet; a masquerade doll and "Forest Kingdom". In addition to the exhibition halls, visitors are given the opportunity to explore the workshops where souvenir dolls are made and where you can learn about the world of dolls from the inside.
A great contribution to the exposition of the museum has been made and continue to be made by students studying at the staging department (Academy of Theater Arts). Their works, which are masks, puppets, theatrical collages, created under the guidance of mentors L. V. Ludinova and T. V. Slezina (leading teachers of the Theater Academy), occupy a worthy place in museum exhibitions.
The interaction of the Theater Academy gave an impetus to the beginning of the use of an ultra-modern position in exhibiting. Unlike previous developments, each showcase was viewed as a separate theatrical stage. The characters that make up it were presented as puppets - this made an indelible effect on the human viewer and completely immersed him in a fabulous atmosphere full of magic.
At the moment, the number of exhibits in the museum has exceeded five thousand. The best designer, souvenir and traditional dolls are constantly exhibited in the exhibition halls. The authors of the dolls are the best contemporary artists.
Inspection starts from the entrance hall. The exhibits collected in it are dedicated to Russian traditions. Here you can see dolls that adorned the Russian fair, dolls, without which it is impossible to imagine Christmas games, carols, Easter and Merry Christmas.
The next room contains traditional East Slavic dolls. There are also wooden dolls; dolls that played the role of amulets; dolls used in rituals. They are created from materials that nature itself has given. The style of their execution is archaic. All of them are made according to samples collected by ethnographers. These dolls played an important role in the life of the ancient Slavs, and accompanied them in all spheres of life, be it everyday life or idleness.
Dolls, known to us from fairy-tale literary works, are presented in the next room. Here you can see King Dadon, a golden cockerel and an insidious sage. A little further - Tsar Saltan and the Princess. This is the author's doll, which was created by our contemporaries.
The tale does not end there, the Forest Kingdom contains various unusual characters born by the theatrical artist Marina Orlova. The magical atmosphere of mystery envelops visitors from all sides. Krakodrak, Kikimora, Drakodil, Goblin - just do not count them all.
Carnival atmosphere - masks, compositions of many figures, panels, dolls, accessories - students and their leader T. V. Slezina (State Academy of Theater Arts).
The museum also has a hall where only adult visitors are allowed. It contains dolls that celebrate the most beautiful feeling on earth. They sing about love between a man and a woman.
The second floor of the museum gives visitors the opportunity to see how famous masters work, reviving the traditions of making dolls - souvenirs.
