Nina offers an exhibition of Russian dolls near Caen

Since this Tuesday, January 7, 2025 and for two weeks, the Fontenay-le-Marmion media librarysouth of Caen (Calvados), offers a exhibition of Matriochkas andobjects from Russia. It is Nina Hervieu who is behind this exhibition and presents the vast majority of objects.

“Volunteering brings me contact”

Living in Fontenay-le-Marmion for 10 years, Nina Hervieu is volunteer at the library for just as long. “As we read a lot with my husband, we are in the library all the time. And volunteering brings me contact and I can give my time,” explains the 67-year-old retiree with a Slavic accent.

Born in Russia, Nina arrived in France 31 years ago. It all started from creation of twinning in 1991 between the towns of Hérouville Saint-Clair and Tikhvine, located 200 km east of Saint Petersburg. Nina then meets André. Three years later, they married and Nina arrived in Normandy.

Russian dolls, decorative object and toy for children

It was after an exchange with the municipality’s deputy Laurence Legris that the idea of ​​an exhibition took hold. Matryoshkas are the Russian dolls.

It is a decorative object and a game for children. Matryoshkas are signs of motherhood. Among the Orthodox, the family takes up a lot of space and mothers are very respected, they are the pillars of the family.

Is it complicated to be Russian today in France, given the international context? ” No not at all. I arrived 31 years ago. And I never talk about politics. Normandy adopted me, I am Calvadosian, and our cultures are very close.”

A concert of Russian music on January 14

Dolls of all colors (depending on the regions of Russia) are visible at the media library: “it’s also a memory », continues Nina. Of the fabrics, shawls, paintings on Russia or samovars (a kind of kettle) are also to be discovered until January 21. Two (full) Russian cooking workshops are planned for January 10 and 17, as well as a snack concert of Russian music from the Orne Odon music school directed by Isabelle Lemaitre on Tuesday, January 14 at 6 p.m.

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