Matryoshkas are the pear-shaped wooden dolls that nest one inside another, painted typically to look like peasant women, though politicians and entertainers have also been depicted in Matryoshka form. They are an iconic symbol of Russia and a popular souvenir for tourists, but they're also a folk industry that is in a lot of trouble. Matryoshka manufacturers say that orders for their crafts are nearly non-existent thanks to the poor economy, many worry that they may not be able to stay in business, possibly spelling the end for a traditional Russian craft in the process.
The Kremlin has promised help, pledging to buy $30 million worth of Matryoshkas and other folk art as a kind of government bailout plan. But Matryoshka manufacturers are doubtful that the politicians will follow through on their promise, since past pledges to help out the folk art sector never panned out. What manufacturers say they really want are cuts in export taxes and government subsidies for folk art producers. Without them, they say that Matryoshkas and other traditional Russian woodcrafts could very well be a thing of the past.
No comments:
Post a Comment