Russian+Words+5

Matryoshka Dolls
Russian wooden dolls within smaller dolls were called matryoshka. In old Russian among peasants the name Matryona or Matriosha was a very popular female name. This name has a Latin root "mater" and means "Mother". This name was associated with the image of a mother of a big peasant family who was very healthy and had a plump figure. The dolls are designed to follow a particular theme such as peasant girls in traditional dress, fairy tale characters - even Soviet leaders!
 * [[image:matryoshkas-dolls.jpg]] || ==Why it is called "Matryoshka"==

Make a set of paper Matryoshka dolls [|here]
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Russian Balalaikas

 * [[image:RussianInstruments.jpg width="287" height="276"]] || ====A **balalaika** is a triangular stringed instrument a bit like a guitar.====

**Listen to some balalaika music ....**
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