Beresta: Birch Bark Crafts

Birch bark crafts have existed in Russia and other Eurasian countries for centuries. Birch bark is a flexible and soft material that is also waterproof and durable. It lends itself well to weaving as well as techniques of cutting, drilling, engraving, and stamping. It can even be sewn.

Birch bark can be rendered into an oil that is used to waterproof leather, and also has antiseptic uses such as treating skin conditions or infections. You can see how Russian birch oil is made in this video.

Carved Birch Bark

The art of carving birch bark arose in small villages along the Shemoksa River. The Shemogadskaya decorative carving of birch bark, sometimes called "Northern Lace," began in the early 19th century.

Containers made of birch bark were used to store dry goods and liquids like milk, water, or kvas. The material is ideal for food storage because birch bark has antiseptic qualities.

People also made baskets, shoes, rope, boxes, and other woven items out of birch bark. Braided items like baskets and shoes are not decorated, but boxes and containers are ornamented by carving, stamping, or embossing.

Woven Birch Bark

Shoes woven from tree bark, including birch, are traditional to Northern and Eastern Europe and date back to prehistoric times. They were worn by Finnic and Baltic peoples, Ukrainians, Russians, and Belarussians. They are called lapti (лапти) in Russian, laptsi (лапці) in Belarussian, and lychaky (личаки ) in Ukrainian. They were worn by Russians up until the early 20th century.

Birch bark is also used to make baskets, roof coverings, canoes, and tents.

Russian Papyrus

Sometimes called Russian papyrus, birch bark was used as paper by the ancient Slavs. Documents written on birch back have been excavated in Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine. The first birch bark manuscripts, which were dated to the year 1400) were discovered in 1951 during an excavation of Novgorod. The number of manuscripts found demonstrates a more wide-spread literacy in ancient Russia than was previously considered. Examples of what was written on these birch bark manuscripts include business discussions between traders, plans for artistic commissions by painters, personal letters, and creditors listing their debtors (Franklin, 6).

People also paint on birch bark, as if on canvas.