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Russian dolls, fur coats, winter boots, or a Samovar tea urn are fantastic gifts to bring back for loved ones after a trip to Russia for football and sightseeing.
6 Must-Have Souvenirs When Traveling to Russia
Samovar Tea Urn
For Vietnamese folks who admire Russia, the Samovar tea urn is a familiar item. It's not just a simple souvenir but also evokes special feelings about the country and its people.
Samovar tea urns have been around for thousands of years, used by Russians to brew tea right on the tea table. Modern Russian families may not use Samovar tea urns anymore, but they still keep this item as a symbol of unity and family solidarity.
This metal tea urn becomes a precious souvenir for travelers returning from Russia.
Matryoshka Doll
Wooden dolls nested within one another are considered one of the cultural symbols of Russia.
The origin of Matryoshka dolls remains debated. Many records suggest that in the late 19th century, two artisans, Vassiliy Zvezdochkin and Sergey Malyutin, drew inspiration from a Japanese toy to create Matryoshka dolls.
These dolls are made of wood, typically featuring 5 hollow dolls, with each smaller one nested inside a larger one. Each doll is adorned with beautiful paintings depicting various themes.
These dolls became captivating and internationally renowned beyond Russia's borders. They were sought after by people throughout Europe at the time and considered valuable gifts.
Orenburg Shawl
The Orenburg shawl is a familiar attire for Russian women. Regardless of social class or region, every Russian woman owns at least one white Orenburg shawl in her lifetime.
Russian women adore this shawl for its delicate, romantic beauty. Its softness and warmth help keep them cozy during harsh winters. They also see the shawl as a symbol of affection.
The traditional colors of the Orenburg shawl are white or gray, but nowadays, you can choose any color you like at gift shops in downtown Moscow when visiting Russia.
Palekh Lacquer Miniatures
In the 19th century, master artisans in the village of Palekh were renowned for their painting skills in churches. After the 1917 revolution, this style of painting fell out of favor. One artisan at the time, Ivan Golikov, began painting miniature scenes on paper boxes and gained popularity among the people.
In the following years, many artists learned this craft, forming painting groups on boxes, trays, and plates.
The glossy lacquer paintings depicting themes of Christianity, landscapes, and Russian folklore make these objects beautiful and valuable.
When traveling to Russia, tourists can purchase these boxes in Palekh village (Ivanovo province, central Russia) or any souvenir shop in Moscow.
Fur Coats
'Soft gold' is how Russians refer to fur. For many centuries, fur was used like gold and currency for trading goods.
Fur was prized not just for its rarity but also for its ability to keep the body warm in harsh weather conditions.
The development of modern technology along with the desire for fashionable clothing has transformed fur from sheep, foxes into warm and beautiful coats, scarves, hats, and boots. They have gradually become beloved fashion items.
A fur coat can cost from a few thousand to tens of thousands of USD depending on the type of fur used and the intricacy of the tailoring.
Handcrafted Items from Birch Bark
Birch trees are symbolic in Russia. They grow abundantly throughout the country and are utilized by people for various purposes.
Artistic items made from birch bark are quite popular in souvenir shops and are highly favored by international tourists.
You can purchase one of these wooden items for decoration purposes or to use as a container for cereals, needles, or jewelry.
Gzhel Ceramic
The ceramics of Gzhel village near Moscow have been famous since the 18th century. These glazed ceramic products adorned with hand-painted blue motifs are quite attractive.
What's special about these products is that they not only serve practical purposes but also combine artistic elements.
Russian Literary Works
Russia is the homeland of many world-renowned writers and poets such as Aleksandr Sergeyevich Pushkin, Lev Nikolayevich Tolstoy, Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky, Vladimir Vladimirovich Mayakovsky, Boris Leonidovich Pasternak, Anna Akhmatova...
Their literary works, poems, and dramas contributed to creating a brilliant Russian literary scene in the 19th and 20th centuries.
A printed collection of works by a favorite author would make a wonderful gift for literature-loving travelers.
Source: Minh Hai/Tuoi Tre
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Reference: Travel Guide Mytour
MytourJune 22, 2018
