Estonian souvenirsPresentation by Aleksandr Tsurkan

Both porcelain mugs have Mulgi patterns inspired by the national costumes of Viljandimaa: the striped skirt for women and the black coat for men. The stripes represent the beautiful colours of the Estonian nature and the coat wealth and ambition.

MUGS

The window is decorated by the stained glass dog. Stained glass is made by the technique of melting glass parts.

STAINED GLASS

The box is made of juniper wood. The box together with the spoon is made by using marquetry technique. A juniper is a tree that grows near the sea, is a small but resistant. It usually grows on the islands (Saaremaa and Hiiumaa). Juniper wood has an unusual bitterly smell.

JUNIPER WOOD BOX

CROCHET HAT

The summer hat is crochet in the colours of the Estonian flag. During the Soviet times the tricolour was forbidden, breaking this law was punished with imprisonment.

Blue – represents the Estonian sky, lakes, sea, truth, loyalty

Black – represents the dark past of Estonians, the soil

White –represents hope, education, snow, with nights, birch bark

CROCHET HAT

WOODEN WARRIORS

The wooden dolls are the ancient Estonian warriors, who wear moss green sheep felt coats. The trousers are made of linen cloth. The warriors hold a wooden shield and a spear in their hands. These souvenirs represent the time when the German Order with its Teutonic knights took from the Estonians their freedom.

WOODEN WARRIORS

MUHU SHOESThese are rubber shoes ofthe Estonian country folk.These rubber shoes havebeen inspired by the flowerpattern of Muhu island.Muhu is a small islandbetween the mainland andSaaremaa. The patterncontains plants growing inEstonia: strawberry,cornflower, daisy, forgetme-not, pansy.

The hand-puppetsare knitted usingsheep wool.They represent typicalEstonian patterns.

HANDPUPPETS