"Scientists are still wondering what it is." The largest Abashevo toy was installed in the center of Penza. It is considered one of the region's trademarks.
The first documents mentioning mysterious clay whistles date back to 1616. They were made by peasants from the village Abashevo, which is located in the northwest Penza regionMost often, they sculpted fabulous animals with elongated bodies, multi-tiered horns, curly beards and manes (less common are human figurines in the form of horsemen and ladies).
The secrets of molding and firing were passed down from generation to generation. In the 19th century, these toys were even exhibited in London and Paris. And they remain a regional brand to this day.
At the end of September, a three-meter-tall monument to the Abashev toy was erected on the Penza embankment. It was made of glass fiber-reinforced concrete—a material that closely resembles clay in appearance.
According to officials, the graceful deer with two fawns symbolizes family (but this is not certain – according to another version, the deer-shaped toy symbolizes unity with nature).
«Scientists are still wondering what it is, — a local historian said at the opening ceremony Gennady Belorybkin. - The Abashevskaya toy is a complete mystery. And the tree of life on the deer's head is a unique phenomenon, not recorded in either the East or the West. The full symbolism of the Abashevskaya toy remains to be explored..
Residents and visitors of Penza love the art piece: it fits perfectly into the new embankment. It's only slightly at odds with the reinforced concrete missile shelter appeared right here a couple of weeks before the installation of the deer.
It’s very nice that our Penza creativity is being promoted, — a city resident named told NeMoskva Svetlana, who was strolling along the embankment with her friends and decided to take a photo with the deer. My son went to Abashevo when he was still a schoolboy and brought back the same toy; it’s still standing in our house.