The tradition of decorating a Christmas tree appeared in Ukraine in the 19th century. It is inextricably linked to the European context, while preserving its unique national identity. Goodies, nuts, candies, candles and the first toys made of cardboard, paper and glass were hung on the tree.
After the October coup and the consolidation of Soviet power in part of the territory of Ukraine, Christmas became forbidden, and with it any Christmas traditions that were interpreted as religious or bourgeois. In addition, the so-called volunteer battalions monitored the execution of orders. However, Ukrainians continued to celebrate Christmas secretly. If Christmas tree toys were made in that period, they were homemade and created secretly. As it turned out, the Soviet authorities banned Christmas trees and Christmas tree decorations only for their own citizens. In the 1920s a group of artists created dolls – large and small (8 cm). Collectors identify these small dolls as Christmas tree decorations.
Only in 1935, a new holiday of the New Year was officially introduced, borrowing the Christmas tree as its main symbol. It was the time of the heyday of Christmas tree decoration, artilies were opened that created Christmas tree toys.
Today, Ukrainian factories and artisans continue the tradition of making Christmas toys, creating patriotic and traditional Ukrainian decorations that support the spirit of Ukrainians in difficult wartime. They borrow the useful technologies of the past, while using the high-tech assets of today. So the tradition of making Ukrainian Christmas tree toys continues.
Christmas tree decoration is a kind of code of its historical period. This art object reflects the times and deserves the increased attention of the audience.
At the exhibition, you will see the first unique Christmas tree ornaments of the 19th and early 20th centuries, toys from the First World War, the first figured glass ornaments, Ukrainian St. Nicholas figures of the 19th and early 20th centuries.
And also glass, cotton wool, wire, cardboard, polyethylene toys of different periods, which reveal the history of Ukrainian Christmas tree decoration. We will tell and show toys from the forbidden Christmas period, and together we will immerse ourselves in the history of the New Year.
The Christmas photo zone will be a pleasant surprise!
