Semyonov (town)

Semyonov ( _ru. Семёнов) is a town in Nizhny Novgorod Oblast, Russia, famous for being a major centre for traditional handcrafts such as Khokhloma wood painting and matryoshka. Population: 25,298 (2002 Census).

History

The town was formed in the beginning of the 17th century as a settlement of Old Believers. It was first mentioned as Semyonov's hamlet in 1644, later as Semyonovo village, and from 1779 as the district town of Semyonov.

From the beginning of the 19th to the early 20th century, it was a centre for Old Believers movement and the only place to produce Old Believers' religious items such as lestovka prayer beads.

Economics & crafts factory

Since 1918 Khokhloma wood painting became a major craft in Semyonov. In 1960 Semyonov was organised as a factory named "Khokhlomskaya rospis" (" _ru. Хохломская роспись", Russian for "Khokhloma painting").

This factory specialised in the production of hand-painted wooden items (ranging from tableware to toys and furniture) with unique style, and also matryoshka dolls, marketed as souvenir items. The factory offers tours around the various stages of production and visitors can see craftspeople making and painting the items in traditional Russian styles.

Semyonovsky District farms produce wheat, oat, potatoes, flax, and barley.

External links

* [http://www.mojgorod.ru/nizhegor_obl/semjonov/ Entry on Semyonov at Mojgorod.ru] ru icon