If you are going home after a long trip, you so want to bring with you a particle of pleasant memories and good mood. This will remind you of an unforgettable pastime, an abundance of positive emotions and a lot of new cognitive acquaintances.
Have you ever been to Siberia? If so, then you are surely wondering what souvenirs to bring from Novosibirsk. There are a lot of memorable gizmos, so often travelers are lost and come to a standstill. What can I bring from Novosibirsk as a gift to my family or just my beloved as a keepsake? This article will draw your attention to curious and useful gizmos, which, depending on your interests and preferences, can be put in a prominent place in the living room or placed on a shelf in the refrigerator.
However, before you find out what souvenirs you can bring from Novosibirsk, let's briefly get acquainted with the city itself and its history.
Center of Siberia
Novosibirsk is a huge beautiful city, which is the administrative center of the Siberian Federal District. In terms of the number of inhabitants, it takes the third place among other cities of the Russian Federation, and in the occupied space it occupies the twelfth.
Novosibirsk is a cultural, industrial, commercial, business and scientific center of the entire Siberian region. Founded in 1893 by Krivoschekovites (and there were only a little more than six hundred people), in just one decade, the city became a crowded and politically significant point in Siberia.
Industry and Economics
Now, despite various past difficulties and problems, Novosibirsk is flourishing and prospering as never before. Large concerns are located here, the field of activity of which covers energy, gas supply, metallurgy, machine building and metal processing.
It is also noteworthy that the city has virtually no monopoly economy, and the emphasis is on the development of small and medium-sized businesses.
Trade and consumer relations, as well as transport (water, rail, road and aviation) make a significant contribution to the impeccable economy of the city.
Therefore, it is very possible that you will come to Novosibirsk on business or on a business trip. If so, then you will still face the problem: what to bring from Novosibirsk as a gift to relatives, friends or as a souvenir.
However, before answering this question, let's find out what sights are located in the city. It is they that will help us decide on what to bring from Novosibirsk.
Interesting places
First of all, it is the Novosibirsk Academgorodok, founded in 1957 and consisting of numerous scientific and educational institutions. The constant number of inhabitants of this unique settlement varies between 22 and 75 thousand people.
Buildings such as the Novosibirsk Opera and Ballet Theater (founded in 1945), the Museum of Local Lore (formerly the trading building, whose construction was completed in 1911), and the Apartment Building, erected in 1937 are also interesting in their architectural style and social significance. and many others.
Other attractions include the Museum of the Sun, the Museum of Railway Engineering, a metro bridge across the Ob River, a botanical garden, a zoo, and monuments to Lenin and Alexander III.
This brief information allowed you to get to know a unique and picturesque city like Novosibirsk. What to bring from there - read below.
Wooden souvenirs
Their diversity is striking in its versatility, beauty and personality. Therefore, it is not surprising that those who decide what to bring from Novosibirsk are perplexed by the huge amount of souvenir products.
What can be advised regarding wood products? First of all, it should be mentioned that cedar and birch bark (the top layer of birch bark) serve as materials for souvenirs .
From ancient times, birch bark was considered a painkiller that calms nerves and strengthens the immune system. Therefore, souvenirs made from this material are considered healthy. Moreover, if they are not fake, they will serve for a long time, differ in strength and elasticity.
Strong caskets and wicker baskets, flasks, dishes, rattles and jewelry are made from birch bark. In most cases, these souvenirs are handmade, decorated with colorful paintings, decorated with carvings and spectacular embossing.
Among the most common birch bark products, it is necessary to note colorful bast shoes made in a folk style and women's jewelry (bracelets, chains, combs, hairpins, mirrors).
Advising what you can bring from Novosibirsk, it should be mentioned that souvenirs made of cedar, a tree considered to be sacred by the people due to its extraordinary healing properties, are very popular. These include dishes (plates, bowls, mugs), jewelry (key rings, hairpins, combs) and even pillows filled with cedar chips.
In this list, it is impossible not to mention the numerous figurines, magnets, pens and other pleasant decorative gizmos, which, according to popular beliefs, relieve fatigue, kill germs, purify the air and so on.
But what to bring from Novosibirsk as a gift to lovers of fine art?
Commemorative shopping from natural stones
These products are especially popular as they decorate the room, giving the interior a unique style and even charm.
The paintings, on which the picture is made of small stone chips, look beautiful and elegant. The pattern is usually a Siberian landscape or local animals. Painted in different colors, the stone fragments perfectly convey shades and chiaroscuro, so that the paintings look like real masterpieces of painting.
Figures from natural stones (for example, from the onyx mineral) depict various animals and are considered amulets and talismans.
Other mineral stones are also in great demand. This charoite, and jade, and jasper, and lapis lazuli, and pomegranate, and agate, and much more. The most common souvenirs made of such materials are women's beads, rings, bracelets, earrings, and so on.
Also in great demand are figurines depicting beautiful girls, Siberian animals, flowers. Goblets, horseshoes, watches made from the above natural stones are also considered interesting.
Recently, a new type of material for souvenir products has become popular - polystone, which is a strong and durable artificial stone. Caskets, candlesticks, photo frames, figurines and much, much more are made of it.
China
Do you still think what to bring from Novosibirsk? Porcelain souvenirs are sure to enrich your collection of commemorative gizmos. Fine high-quality porcelain, presented in the form of sets, vases and sculptures, will not leave anyone indifferent. Porcelain dolls made in the author's style enjoy special love of tourists. They will decorate the interior and become the most unforgettable gift for your loved ones.
Zlatoust souvenirs
Speaking about what to bring from Novosibirsk, it is impossible not to mention this category of products.
Zlatoust is a small village located just a couple of kilometers from Novosibirsk. For almost two centuries, it has been known as a center for engraving, where they design and create real works of art. Engravings made on weapons, utensils and other objects (especially swords, sabers, cups, writing instruments) have gained worldwide fame for their high quality and virtuosic skill. And the secret is simple: Zlatoust engravers use nickel, silver and even pure gold to process metal.
Grocery Souvenirs
What goodies are recommended to be brought from Novosibirsk? First of all, these are the famous pine nuts and Siberian gingerbread cookies made according to special old recipes, distinguished by their large size and delicious filling.
Also, many recommend buying Novosibirsk honey collected in Siberian meadows and slopes of snow-capped mountains.
Dried mushrooms purchased in any decent market will become not only an interesting, but also an appetizing gift in memory of the Siberian city. Porcini mushrooms are considered the most delicious, having a wonderful aroma, especially suitable for the taste of fried potatoes, baked chicken or hot homemade soup.
Among the edible souvenirs, mention can be made of alcoholic beverages, presented in the form of whiskey or wine. The most remarkable in this product is the container where alcohol is stored. Bottles made of glass or tin can be made in the form of various figurines and figures. Very popular are sets in which glasses and a corkscrew are cleverly hidden.
Souvenirs with the symbols of the city
When deciding what to bring from Novosibirsk, tourists often give preference to ordinary souvenirs, which depict the symbolism of the city. It can be a variety of cups, magnets, key rings, sweets that reflect your tastes and preferences. Most often they purchase products with the image of Siberian landscapes, the city coat of arms, local attractions (theater, cathedral, railway station) and so on.
Curious are souvenirs, which depict the attributes of the famous hockey team. It can be T-shirts, sweaters, cups, scarves, as well as decorative pennants and washers. These products are purchased not only by fans or hockey fans, but also ordinary people who are interested in various souvenir products.
Print media
This is a separate category of goods for memory, which include books on the history of the Novosibirsk Region, photo albums, works by local authors and so on. This printed product will not only enrich your piggy bank of souvenirs, but will also help you to have a good time reading, expand your horizons and improve your erudition.
Health Products
These include:
- Fir essential oil, useful for joints and skin, used for colds and disorders of the nervous system.
- Herbal preparations or balms. It is no secret that Siberian land is rich in healing plants that can be purchased at pharmacies or in the market.
- Chewing gum. From time immemorial, resin has been famous for its healing properties. Chewing gum or, in other words, sulfur is prepared from it.
- Salted wild garlic. They say that here it is prepared according to a special recipe, thanks to which all its useful properties are preserved in the product.
And finally
As you can see, there are many options for what to bring with you from the center of Siberia. Paying attention to your tastes and wishes, you can purchase a variety of gifts both for yourself and for your loved ones. Products for recreation, health, beauty, interior ...
The pricing policy of Novosibirsk souvenirs is also diverse. Here you can ask the price and bargain. It is not necessary to buy in specialized stores. If you go to the market or turn your attention to handmade goods, then you can certainly choose something beautiful, pleasing to the soul and inexpensive for a wallet.