Moscow is ready to meet Obama

Obama Nesting Doll - Moscow is ready to meet Obama

Obama will visit Moscow on July 6-8 to meet with President Medvedev and Prime Minister Putin. So now if you walk through the Red Square and Kremlin areas or any tourist attractions or crafts markets Vernisazh in Izmailovo you can see the ubiquitous nesting doll with Obama on them and also the American flag! These nesting dolls called Matreshka are one of the national souvenirs of Russia and are hand made from wood and hand painted (cheap ones have photo copies on it).

The history of the Matreshka doll started at the end of the 19th century. There are several legends about it's origin. The most popular says that the idea to make the traditional handicraft shaped like a woman in the local costume were taken from Japanese bold funny figurine representing a wise man Fukuruma (The Seven Gods of Fortune) that consisted of 7 figures of Gods nestled one to another.

From beginning of 20th century till present times a small town in Moscow region Sergiev Posad famous not only via Holy Trinity monastery, but also via numerous talented artists and production of toys, became a center on producing the Matreshka doll.

A regular matreshka doll can consist from 5 to 10 pieces (average 7) but with my clients I saw a huge versions of these dolls in Izmailovo market or in shops at Old Arbat (famous pedestrian street in Moscow) that had even more 50 figures of dolls inside for a price more than $1500. Of course, the big dolls are not on demand because of their size and the high price and mostly they made it by special orders, for example, as advertizing in fancy gift shops. The prices for normal size matreshka dolls can vary from few dollars to several hundreds depending on its size, amount of pieces inside, but the most important here is the quality of painting (if you decided to buy one, please, pay your attention to details of a face, costume and miniature of a biggest and smallest figures!).

Artists often paint Matreshkas in the style of different art schools of costumes for the dolls and can have in front different paint scenes from popular fairy tales. The scenes from the famous Russian poet Pushkin are especially beloved by children and adults. In the present times, I think from middle of 90s, became very popular for tourists an idea to make figures of all famous Soviet leaders (Lenin, Stalin, Hrushev, Gorbachev) and current presidents of Russia. For example, several years ago, the shelves in stores were filled with matreshkas featuring Putin, but now lots of vendors have nesting dolls with Medvedev , our new president on the biggest (main) one with former leaders inside. In these days you can also see Matreshkas with Obama painted on them. This is the most recent addition to the souvenir vendor stands.

When Obama is here on July 6-8 best artists and craft people could visit the Obama at their hotel to show unique handicrafts. The artists from the craft market said that when Bush was here, he and his wife Laura did this. Perhaps Michelle will be able to do the same! Obama is a fan of Pushkin and he will probably want to get souvenirs featuring Pushkin fairy tales. He admires Pushkin so much that he even named one of his daughters after Pushkin's wife (Natasha or Natalia more official).

Anyway, we all wish our leaders much good luck at their meetings!

PS: Congratulations to all my former clients and friends from USA with Independence Day!!!

With BEST Regards from Moscow,
Arthur Lookyanov
Private Guide & Personal Driver

Posted on July 04, 2009

Related Links:

Russian Patriarch Alexy II dies Today, on December 5th 2008, His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II who led greatly the Russian Orthodox church from Soviet times died at age 79... Today I worked with my repeat clients from Germany and England and listened to today's news on the car radio.
Services As an English-speaking tour guide in Moscow, I would like to offer you my services as a private driver, professional photographer, and an English-Russian translator.
Meeting Johnny Weir and his trainers At the second half of March 2005 I had an opportunity to meet Johnny Weir, his mom and official trainer (Precilia) while we enjoyed sightseeing and shopping together.
Walking Tour with Repeat Client on The Red Square Today, on February 8th, 2007, I provided walking tour around a historical part of Moscow city including the Red Square for my repeat client from Germany, Romy Brock. It is her 6th business trip to Moscow and this time she found some spare time between her meetings to walk around the famous Moscow attractions together and take some pictures of our memories (tomorrow I have to see her off again).
A Case with Wrong Parking (Part I) With posting this picture of the Dworak family and me (taken by a passing tourist as we stood in Red Square in front of St. Basil's cathedral), I would like to tell you the story of their last day in Moscow and the big problem we were about to encounter.
A Case with Wrong Parking (Part II) On May 4th about 5 PM, after seeing off my Austrian clients, Rupert, Alexandra, Victor and Jana, at Domodedovo airport, I was able to quickly get a ticket and catch the "AeroExpress" train which goes to Paveletsky railway station in the center of Moscow within 45 minutes.
Museum of Bells Changed Location The Moscow Museum of Bells, headed by Konstantin Mishurovsky and under the supervision of one of the most famous bell ringers in Russia, Igor Konovalov (Patriarchal bell ringer of the Moscow Kremlin and Cathedral of Christ the Savior), moved from the Izmailovo Kremlin into the ancient Petrovsky Monastery in the city center on Petrovka street.
64th Anniversary from Great Victory Today on May 9th, 2009, the weather in the capital of Russia was a real treat for both citizens and visitors of Moscow during the celebration of one of the main holidays in our country, Victory Day. This is the date of the final surrender of Nazi Germany to the U.
Day of Holy Trinity Holy Trinity is one of the major religious and popular festivals in Russia. On this festive and holy occasion, I provided a tour to Holy Trinity St. Sergius Lavra for my British clients, Christine and Hugh. It is difficult to explain our emotions and sense of excitement during this tour because we just happened to be located exactly at the hub of the festivities during the celebration of this great holiday and religious event.
Fairy-tale Town Suzdal Today I was in Vladimir and Suzdal with my repeat client and great friend from NY, USA, who came to Russia again to see more sights in Moscow and to discover St. Petersburg. I work with my current client from June 25-29 and again from July 3-7, after her return from the “Venice of the North”.
Bombing in Moscow Metro On March 29, 2010, another tragic event happened in Moscow that shocked not only the citizens of the Russian Federation, but also many people from countries that oppose the threat of terrorism. In the early morning rush hour, two women bearing suicide weapons blasted themselves in the subway trains of the Moscow Metro.
Story of Artem Justin Hansen (Part II) Details of arrival Artem Saveliev to Moscow on April 8, 2010. It was sunny and pleasant morning. I got up early, saw my wife, and checked the mail just in case, but there were no more letters from Nancy...
Renewed Triumphal Arch - The Symbol of the Victory over Napoleon (1812 -2012) On Tuesday, September 4th, 2012, after several months of intensive renovation, it was provided official ceremony with a speech of Prime Minister of Russia Dmitry Medvedev devoted to re-opening of Triumphal Arch in honor of the great celebrations of 200th anniversary of Borodino Battle that happened on September 7th, 1812.
Ice Rink at Cathedral of Christ the Savior On the first days of 2008 the temperature of air in Moscow lowered down to -16..-18 C (+3…0 F), but was not snow on the grounds yet. This picture of Cathedral of Christ the Savior with view of frozen Moscow River (Moskva-Reka) that looks as like ice rink I took very early morning after seeing off my current client from USA to airport.
Moscow Celebrates its 867th Anniversary – Happy Birthday! This year, on September 6-7th, 2014 Moscow celebrated its 867th anniversary, and, as usual, the city was brimming to the top with concerts, joyous people walking around and dancing on the streets and in parks, wonderous firework displays, and parade of participants of International Military Music Festival “Spasskaya Tower” on Tverskaya (I was there at the time and took lots of pictures).
Ice Replica of Moscow City in Miniature on Poklonnaya Hill During the winter holidays from December 30, 2015, through January 13, 2016, the exciting exhibition project “Icy Moscow: In the Family Circle” attracted thousands and thousands of citizens and visitors of all ages, from the very young to the very old, to Victory Park on Poklonnaya Hill in the capital of Russia to watch artists carve miniature copies of Moscow’s major attractions out of ice.
Gigantic New Year’s Ball on Manezhnaya Square The New Year’s Light Ball on Manezhnaya Square (historical center of Moscow Kremlin) first appeared during last year’s winter holidays. This season, the ball has been made considerably larger and claims a record in the Guinness Book of Records at 17 meters high.
The Third Winter Bicycle Parade in Moscow 2018 More than 2,000 people who were not afraid of snowfall took part in the 3rd Winter Bicycle Parade in Moscow that was held at noon on Sunday, February 11th, 2018, during the 6th Winter Cycling Congress at the temperature about -4°C (25°F).
871st Birthday of Moscow Celebrated with Spectacular Fireworks Moscow Day was celebrated with a spectacular fireworks display on Saturday, September 08, 2018, as part of the Russian Capital’s City Day. Festive fireworks were launched from numerous sites and were visible right across the capital.
Moscow Photo Tours Explore Moscow and its countryside with professional English speaking guide, driver and photographer to capture highlights of your stay in the capital of Russia. Moscow day and night photo tours, portrait sessions, architecture and countryside photography
Moscow Winter Photo Tour with Soichi Hayashi (Japan) on Jan 25, 2018 Personalized guided Moscow city tour in winter season with my dear client and professional photographer from Japan, Soichi Hayashi, that was held on January 25, 2018. Introduction slideshow and photographs with descriptions.
Best Attractions You Must See in Moscow Moscow offers plenty of sights for travelers so that it is very important to know and plan before your trip visiting its must-see sights and attractions you certainly shouldn’t miss!
Golden Ring of Russia Winter Tour with Adrian Durrani on Feb 15-17, 2019 Introduction to the personalized long distance countryside tour to the Cities of Golden Ring of Russia with my dear client from Denmark, Adrian Durrani on February 15-17, 2019.
Zaryadye Park Located in the historical center of Moscow city, steps from St. Basil’s Cathedral, Red Square and the Kremlin, the new urban par is one of the best attractions of the capital of Russia with beautiful views of the famous sites that you can't miss.
Innovation Center Skolkovo – Territory of the Future Develompment of the Skolkovo Innovation Center, the modern scientific and technological innovative complex located in the Mozhaysky district of the Western Administrative District of Moscow of an area of approximately 400 hectares.

Innovation Center Skolkovo – Territory of the Future

Develompment of the Skolkovo Innovation Center, the modern scientific and technological innovative complex located in the Mozhaysky district of the Western Administrative District of Moscow of an area of approximately 400 hectares.

Moscow is ready to meet Obama

Obama Nesting Doll - Moscow is ready to meet Obama

Previous News

Season's Greetings 2010

Next News

Fairy-tale Town Suzdal

Related Photos:

About Me in Short

Navigation

Find Me on

Travel Tips

Recently Posted:

Innovation Center Skolkovo – Territory of the Future

Featured Photo Albums

Last Published Photo:

Lights of Nikolskaya Street in Winter Twilight

Take One of Exciting Tours:

Related Information: