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Exhibition Of Ukrainian Traditional Toys and Dolls
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Ukraine
has extremely rich traditions in making toys. Many different regions such
as Podillia, Middle Naddnipryanshchyna, Polissia, Zakarpattia, Pokuttia,
are represented in the toy kingdom of traditional culture. The art of
creating traditional toys shows the peculiarity of perception of the world,
the nature of the nation, and at the same time develops creative abilities.
Toys help children to get to know the traditions of the nation. As people are once again getting more and more interested in the true culture of Ukraine they are, at last, paying attention to one of its most significant elements - toys.
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For
the first time in the Taras Shevchenko Museum in Kyiv an Exhibition Of
Ukrainian Traditional Toys and Dolls was held during the New Year and
Christmas seasons in late 2000 and early 2001. The Exhibition gathered
over 500 toys and dolls from musuem collections and private collections.
The purpose of the Exhibition was to get the public (first of all young people and teachers) to know the rich tradition of Ukrainian hand made toys, to preserve the traditional arts of making toys, and to represent the best examples of traditional toys for the children of today.
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Today
there is a problem with children's toys. And depending on what the Ukrainian
toy will be tomorrow - cold and ugly (like has been imposed on Ukrainian
children or warm and kind ( like traditional Ukrainian toys have always
been) the future of our children will depend. The exhibition shows ways
of using toys in every day life for parents and educators, as well as
for manufacturers, and for folk art artists.
Toys from different regions of Ukraine were represented at the Exhibition; almost all kinds of toys ( made of wood, straw, clay, fabric, cheese, dough, etc.), works of outstanding folk artists who represent famous centers of folk toy art, and also very unique pieces are on display. Many were patterned after old Ukrainian toys and dolls made many years ago.
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There
were stuffed animals, whistles, hand carved Christmas decorations, creatures
from folk-lore, pull-toys, historical dolls representing famous Ukrainians
from long ago, farm workers and much more. Many of the dolls featured
beautiful, hand-made traditional Ukrainian costumes.
The co-sponsors of the Exhibition were: the Scientific and Methodic Center of Educational Supply of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine; the Ukrainian Center of Folk Culture "Museum after Ivan Honchar"; the State Museum of Folk Architecture and Everyday Life of Ukraine; JV "Goulliver"; State T.Shevchenko Museum; and the Center of Youth Initiatives "Postup".
Ukraine has a rich, long tradition of folk art, village art and primitive art which continues today throughout rural Ukraine. Many top masters of folk art can still be found in Ukraine.
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Many
folk artists are members of The National Union of Folk Art Masters of
Ukraine. Volodymyr M. Pridka is chairman of the Union which has its headquarters
in the Podil District in Kyiv. In the Union headquarters is an Exhibition
Hall where top folk artists have regular exhibitions. There is also a
folkart shop which sells the finest folk art found in Ukraine today.
The Union publishes an outstanding quarterly
magazine, "Folk Art" which has many articles and color photographs about
Ukrainian folk art and artists over the past 150 years or more. The National
Union of Folk Art Masters is located at 27A Reytarska str. in Kyiv
and the telephone is 380 44 228 5625. ArtUkraine recommends the Exhibition
Hall, the Shop and urges everyone to subscribe to the Folk Art magazine.
The master folk artists of Ukraine deserve your support.
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