Zhar-Ptitsa means “a firebird” in Russian. Owners of the workshop conduct organized excursions concerning handcraft and traditions. They are designed for both, adults and children, so nobody will be bored. During every “lecture”, except for the observation excursion around the workshop, guests can make some gifts with their own hands. The following programs are available:
PotteryGuests get familiarized with the history of ceramics from the earliest times, observe the process of operation on the potter’s wheel, 2 kinds of ceramics processing including the Japanese one named Raku, ceramic musical instruments and various types of vessels. At the end of the excursion guests can work on the potter’s wheel and take handmade items with them.
The program lasts up to 2 hours depending on the number of guests. Groups up to 45 people are allowed.
On a visit to a Russian samovar (teapot in Ruthenia)Visitors are acquainted with the collection of antique samovars (over 20). They get to know their history and construction, and also traditions of Russian tea drinking. After the excursion guests are invited to drink tea made in a real Russian samovar with round cracknels and home-made jam. Tea with honey and spices (sbiten in Russian) is possible upon request.
The duration is 1 hour.
Bread and gingerbreadIn the course of the program visitors are familiarized with the history of Russian bread baking, origin and development of gingerbread cooking. Guests are provided with the opportunity to grind flour with a hand-mill and demonstrated with different kinds of gingerbread. The excursion finishes by decorating gingerbread with sugar glaze.
The program lasts 1 hour.
SmithyVisitors get to know metal processing from the earliest times and how a smithy operates. Everyone will make a nail with their own hands.
Children over 10 years of age are allowed. Duration is 2 hours.
“Glass fairy-tale”The excursion to the workshop of glass jewelry made with a lampworking technique. Visitors will know how glass was invented, why colored glass is called Murano glass, how glazing was developing in Russia, and will witness the process of creating beads in fire.
The duration is 30 minutes. Groups up to 15 people are allowed. It is possible to divide big groups of tourists and conduct several excursions simultaneously.
Observation excursion around the handcraft museumGuests will observe samples of old instruments of different handcrafts, such as smithcraft, joinery, carpentry, wood engraving, spinning and weaving, tinwork, visit the glassmaking workshop and see handicraft products dated the 19th – the beginning of the 20th century.
The excursion can be conducted for individual tourists as well as for tourist groups. It lasts 30 minutes.
You can purchase souvenirs produced in the Zhar-Ptitsa workshop.
