Russian Travel Guide

Коллекция Russian Travel Guide. Природа. Республика Коми

CHRISTMAS TREE ORNAMENTS. THE HISTORY OF HOLIDAY TOYS AND DECORATIONS

The winter holidays are a time of magic and tree ornaments – complex little decorations that are more than just beautiful shimmering figures. Each one has a special meaning and is from its own era, reminding us of how fleeting time is and of the fragility of human happiness. The technology used to make these ornaments has changed over the years: they have evolved from flat shapes made of cardboard and paper figures stuffed with cotton to shiny designs made of glass and true technological miracles. One can even trace Russia’s history by examining the images used for tree ornaments over the years: polar bears and polar stations began appearing during the exploration of the Arctic, while satellites and rockets made their debut on trees with the dawn of the space age.

A View from Above: The Golden Age of Yaroslavl

One can start a business, buy and sell goods, and amass wealth. But these are earthly affairs. What will happen to the soul when the time comes to leave his world and pass on to the next? This was one of the most pressing questions for those living in the 17th century. Building a church was one way to atone for many earthly sins, including avarice. Yaroslavl’s merchants were deeply religious men, who understood that they were, despite their earthly riches, still answerable to God. They used their money to build churches of exquisite beauty. The 17th century was a special time for Yaroslavl, known to historians as its Golden Age. Watch RTG TV’s A View from on High: Yaroslavl’s Golden Age to learn about the architecture and curious features of the city’s churches.