More than 400 amulet dolls and authentic toys are presented at the exhibition in Vitebsk

More than 400 author's amulet dolls and authentic toys are presented at the "Fair of Wonders" exhibition in Vitebsk. The exposition is located in the regional methodological center of folk art, the correspondent of BELTA was informed by this institution.

The toys and dolls are made of straw, clay, wicker, wood, dough, ribbons, leather, and scraps. The exhibition features works by 120 folk masters from 25 Houses of Crafts of the region.

According to Ekaterina Goryuchko, the leading methodologist of the exhibition hall of the Vitebsk Regional Methodological Center of Folk Art, traditional Belarusian toys and dolls were not intended for play; they had symbolic meaning. Most of them were amulets that were supposed to protect the home and specific people from evil forces. Such symbolic toys were given to newlyweds, housewarmers, conscripts, etc. For each specific case, there was its own amulet toy.

One of the most striking exhibits is the world tree, on the branches of which masters from Novopolotsk placed traditional dolls - a grain doll, a wish doll, an herb doll, inseparable dolls (a wedding amulet doll), and fever sisters. As Ekaterina Goryuchko explained, in Slavic mythology, the world tree symbolized the universe. Its crown reaches the heavens, its roots (from which a sacred spring flows) go to the underworld, and its trunk and branches organize earthly space. At the same time, the world tree symbolized a specific family and was often given to newlyweds for their wedding. The branches of such a tree were traditionally decorated with figures of the groom, bride, and children.

The "Fair of Wonders" exhibition will be open in Vitebsk until January 13.

Alena Tikhonova