On June 6-7, Tashkent is hosting the 7th 'House of Dolls' festival, an event organized for four years by a community of doll makers, collectors, and enthusiasts of authorial toys. The festival exudes a 'pre-travel' mood, driven not only by the 'Journey to Summer' theme but also by a change of venue: the beloved Khamar Gallery in the Central Exhibition Hall closed this spring, forcing organizers to find a new location.
Organizers Olga Tomling and Oksana Seredyuk found a new home at the 'Theatre+' immersive theater and mask museum (Matbuotchilar Street, 17). 'The world of theater and dolls seems very harmonious in atmosphere. The mask collection, intimate lighting, and stage-like space unexpectedly became a natural extension of our festival. Even the large theatrical dolls by the stairs seem to welcome guests,' says Oksana Seredyuk.
This year, 20 masters from Uzbekistan, as well as representatives from Kazakhstan and Belarus, are participating. Among them: Anna Kravchenko with knitted cartoon characters; Natalya Lipay with cotton figures of boys and girls in ballet, school, and national costumes; Yelena Shvedchikova with abstract wool shapes and fantasy characters; Tamara Yugay with polymer clay dolls in lace dresses; and many others.
'The main theme this year is a journey into summer. Each table has a small retro suitcase. Instead of clothes or souvenirs, it contains nostalgic items from the masters: old photos, favorite flowers, toys, and various trinkets that tell the story of how their doll world was created,' says Olga Tomling.
Visitors move slowly from table to table, lingering in front of surprisingly detailed works. Some carefully pick up toys to examine tiny buttons and embroidery, while others ask masters about techniques and materials. Children tirelessly drag their parents toward the most unusual and bright characters.
One table features an entire forest world of dragons, crows, owls, cats, bats, and magical creatures, created by spouses Oksana and Alexander Seredyuk under the name 'Whisper of Tree Hearts.' Each character has its own personality and function.
Nearby, a completely different atmosphere prevails — soft, fabric-based, and homey. Children often stop at Regina Khalitova's table, attracted by teddy-style toys with movable limbs and heads: bears, rabbits, mice, ducklings. They are sewn from plush fabric and filled with wood shavings, so they hold their shape well and feel pleasantly heavy.
'When you work at home, you usually only read customer reviews. Here, you can immediately see people's emotions — how they smile while looking at the toys, recognize something familiar. Seeing a live reaction and feeling that your work evokes warm feelings is probably the most pleasant thing,' says Regina.
The variety of techniques can be seen at the stand of the Kazakh doll community ASIADOLL, whose members have been coming to the festival for the second consecutive year. Masters interpreted the 'Road to Summer' theme differently: for some, summer is associated with the countryside and cows, for others with the sea, and for still others with home comfort. Hence the diversity of styles: papier-mâché and polymer clay dolls coexist with textile, fur, and knitted characters.
Part of the space is dedicated to an exhibition of the personal collection of Natalya Shutova, founder of D'Ameli Art Doll Gallery. It features collectible dolls by Russian and European masters, as well as works by local authors.
In addition to strolling among dozens of authorial dolls and toys, visitors can participate in master classes on painting figurines, candles, and lamps on the theater's first floor. The festival is open from 12:00 to 19:00. Admission is free.
Source: www.gazeta.uz