Mandarin, Olivier, ‘Soviet Champagne’ and the ‘Irony of Fate’. These were the inalienable attributes of the meeting of the New Year in Soviet times. And even long, exciting cooking for the holidays, decorating the Christmas tree and baby’s expectation of the miracle…
It was in the atmosphere that prevailed in the homes of ordinary Zhytomyr people in the last century, we immerse us in the exhibition ‘Christmas and New Year attributes of the twentieth century’, which opened in Zhytomyr Museum of Local Lore.
Swans from paper-mache, paper butterflies and fish, cones, nuts, candies and glass Soviet decorations – such Christmas toys can be seen here.
Some exhibits are almost 90 years old, some of them made by hand and carefully kept in Zhytomyr families.
Ornaments were very carefully taken out of boxes and luggage, with ceremonially pinned on the twigs. Because these were the symbols of family comfort, the personification of the family holiday.
Someone remembers the famous Christmas tree toys on the pinch, or balloons with a phosphoric pattern that glow in the dark?
And the glass garlands, which wrapped the forest beauty under the excited grumbling of the grandmother: ‘Careful, do not crash!’
Of course, they did not do without the top – a big bright star. Less rarely on the honorable place were hanging ‘turtle’.
The most responsible mission of decorating the tops was always entrusted to adults, but how would I like to get the little ones to the highest branch!
Not only Christmas decorations convey the warm light of the past years. There are also old postcards and black and white photos from New Year’s Eve.
Recall traditions: boys – bunnies, girls – snowflakes.
Take a look, maybe you will find familiar faces here!
Imagine those who became our grandparents and parents were growing in this atmosphere. Fun!
You can visit the exhibition from December 16 to January 20.
The cost of the ticket for children – 5 UAH; Adults – 10 UAH.
Museum address:
Zhytomyr, 1, Maidan Zamkovyi
Tel. 0412 47-49-24
Open from 10:00 to 18:00, weekends – Mo, Tu.
Translated by Aliona Matushevich