Tula hosts rag-doll exhibition

Professional doll-maker Tatiana Podolskaya is now displaying her fairy-tale characters at the world-famous Yasnaya Polyana mansion in Tula; this rag-doll exhibition opened here December 13.

Hand-made rag-dolls, which have become wildly popular nowadays, are generally accepted works of art. Among other things, this is confirmed by numerous invitations being received by Ms. Podolskaya from all over the world. Her funny cartoon and fairy-tale characters are loved by people in the United States, Israel, as well as by those living in many Russian cities. And now, Ms. Podolskaya's personal exhibition has opened in her native town.

The display features such rag-dolls as the lady fortune-teller and the pirate, the story-teller and the Russian witch Baba-Yaga, the brave soldier and the cunning fisherman, the shepherd girl playing a pipe and the frocked fiddler. As a matter of fact, each doll has its own personality and moods.

Tatiana first made a rag-doll, which looked exactly like a romantic princess, for her little daughter. The girl liked that doll very much; moreover. Ms. Podolskaya liked making the doll itself. Many other characters were added to her collection later on.

The people of Tula are flocking to see her masterpieces. Grown-up people display great affection and love, as they take these wonderful dolls in their hands.