On February 3, 2023, within the Year of National Cultures and Traditions of the Republic of Tatarstan, employees of Bolgar Museum-Reserve Musina G. M. and Usmanova D. O. conducted a museum lesson “Visiting the samovar” for 8 children of Bolgar kindergarten “Teremok”.
Contrary to popular belief, samovar was not invented by Russians. The first “tea machine” came to Russia from Holland thanks to Peter I who liked to bring novelties from abroad. After a while, Russia invented its own, adapted analogue. True, the name “samovar” stuck to it later.
The very first Russian samovar was made of copper and appeared in the Urals. Because more and more people wished to buy a fashionable and necessary in everyday life samovar, the manufactures opened in many cities of Russia. Initially, in each city it was called differently: in Kursk – “samokipets”, in Yaroslavl – “samogar”, and in Vyatka – “samogrey”. The new business turned out to be so profitable that the artisans converted their workshops into factories. Soon samovar became the main subject of tea drinking in Russia. Copper samovars were replaced by samovars made of zinc and copper alloy. Wealthy people began to buy more expensive – silver or nickel-plated “tea machines”. In XIX century, for the design of samovars famous artists were involved. Nowadays the most expensive samovars are silver and gilded, created in the workshops of Karl Faberge in the last century.
During the lesson, children became acquainted with different kinds of samovars, viewed their patterns and paintings, learned about their purpose and the tradition of drinking tea in Russia, solved riddles, sang songs and played games. Kids listened to a tour around the museum exhibition, received gifts, treats and positive emotions.

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