This document provides 11 interesting facts about Matryoshka nesting dolls in preparation for the 2014 Sochi Olympics. Some key points: - Matryoshka dolls originated in Japan as Daruma dolls and were inspired by similar Chinese dolls, before being popularized in Russia. - The first Russian Matryoshka dolls were carved in 1890 and featured a mother figure, winning a medal at the 1900 World's Fair. - Matryoshkas are carefully crafted from wood like birch or aspen that takes two years to cure before use. Complex sets can include up to 20 nested dolls. - Russia's Golden Cockerel company made a giant

1. Hello, Dolly!
The 11 Most Interesting Facts
About Matryoshka Nesting Dolls
You Should Know Before The
Sochi 2014 Olympics.

2. Matryoshka dolls are one of the most popular souvenirs associated
with Russia in the world today.
привет!
But did you know…

3. No. 1
真実！
Matryoshka dolls actually originated in Japan.

4. Matryoshkas are directly inspired by Japanese Daruma dolls. These
dolls are modeled on the founder of Zen Buddhism, and symbolize
prosperity and good luck. The nesting design of Daruma dolls is itself
inspired by similar dolls from China.
Sup?
Daruma doll

5. No. 2
In 1890, Vasily Petrovich Zvyozdochkin (a craftsman) carved the first Matryoshka
doll from a design by Sergey Maluytin, a painter. They were inspired by a Japanese
art exhibit that had displayed the Daruma dolls.
These guys
*This is a self portrait

6. No. 3
These are the actual first Matryoshka dolls. The outer doll is a
mother in a sarafan, or peasant dress. Inner dolls can be male or female.
Everyone Else

7. No. 4
The dolls won a bronze medal at the 1900 Exposition Universelle (the World’s Fair)
in France.
They were quickly replicated by other artists afterward.

8. No. 5
Matryoshkas are commonly made out of light, flexible woods
such as birch, alder, lime, balsa, and aspen.
30.5%
Everyone Else
It takes two years to cure (dry) the wood before
it can be used to make the dolls.

9. No. 6
Each set of dolls is made out of a single piece of wood. The smallest doll is made first.
30.5%
Everyone Else
The more Matryoskas in a
stack, the more expensive
they are. Some commercial
sets have as many as 20
dolls. The smallest known
doll is the size of a Tic Tac.

10. No. 7
The largest Matryoshka is 27.5-inches tall and contains 70 dolls. Made by
Russian firm Golden Cockerel, it was shown at a Hong Kong mall in 2010.

11. No. 8
The Chinese city of
Manzhouli has a
public square with
Matryoshka
sculptures as tall
as 100 feet. More
than 200 doll
statues dot the
square. Needless
to say, these aren’t
made out of wood.
Photo: Eul Mulot/Flickr

12. No. 9
Matryoshkas are often called “Babushka Dolls”. This is wrong.
Babushka means “Grandmother” in Russian and Matryoshka
means “little mother,” as the dolls inside represent her children.
No.
Yes.

13. No. 10
Now, the dolls aren’t just little mothers. They come in many sizes and designs from
all over the world. Can you identify them all?

14. And they’re epic.

15. Seriously.

16. These are awesome.

17. No. 11
Naturally, collectors love Matryoshkas.
Depending on where they are made, by whom, what technique, and the
number of dolls inside, a Matryoshka can sell for as much as $5,000.
$$$

18. To celebrate our role as Official Supplier of Network Equipment to the Sochi
2014 Olympic Winter Games, we’ve commissioned 3,000 Limted Edition
Avaya Matryoshkas from Golden Cockerel. Each has been handmade in Russia,
and is numbered.
The best part? You can get one.

19. Want an Avaya Matryoshka? Be on the lookout for contests where you
can win this limited edition set via Facebook and Twitter!
www2.avaya.com/ru/sochi2014/
Facebook Contest facebook.com/avaya
• When: Beginning 11/25 and running every week till the start of
the Olympics
• What: (#ShowUsYourAvaya) Partners and end users can submit
pictures of why they should win. Show us your Avaya! Or your
Matryoska! Or even your Olympic pride!
Twitter Contest twitter.com/Avaya
• When: Beginning 11/25 and running every week till
the start of the Olympics
• What: Olympics and Avaya history trivia questions
We have 20 Matryoskas to give away!
Made by Ashlie Fairless/Avaya