5 weird gifts shipped abroad from Russians

May 05 2017

RBTH

Alyona Boldyreva

The Peace Dove is made of armored steel, which was used to build tanks during the war.

&lt;a href=&quot;http://heartofsteel.ru/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Heartofsteel&lt;/a&gt;

Listed below are an Oscar statuette for Leonardo DiCaprio, a dress for Marine Le Pen, a portrait of Donald Trump painted with breasts, and other odd gifts from Russia.

Tourists visiting Russia normally bring back matryoshka dolls, fur-lined hats, artisan shawls, traditional boots, vodka, and caviar. However, Russians prefer to send far more obscure gifts to foreigners abroad.

1. A Peace Dove for the UN headquarters

The Peace Dove is made of armored steel, which was used to build tanks during the war. Source: Heartofsteel

Blacksmiths in Magnitogorsk, the second largest city of the Chelyabinsk Region located 1,700 km to the east of Moscow, sent a sculpture of a dove to the UN's New York headquarters to mark the 72th anniversary of end of World War II. The bird symbolizes peace and serves as a reminder of the UN's mission.

The Peace Dove is made of armored steel, which was used to build tanks during the war. “We intentionally chose the material utilized in the manufacture of armor plates by our wartime ancestors,” says Pyotr Korolenko, who helped create the sculpture. “Our armor makers helped the Soviet soldiers win hundreds of battles. We forged the victory back in 1945, and now we have forged peace.”

2. Leonardo DiCaprio first ‘Oscar’

Just days before DiCaprio scooped the real prize, a group of 144 people from Yakutia got together to donate personal belongings, including 1,386 grams of silver and 3.49 grams of gold, to create a mock statuette. Source: Vadim Skryabin/TASS

Another unusual present was sent to actor DiCaprio from the Russian public. An Oscar statuette was presented to him after residents in the Republic of Yakutia couldn’t believe a real Oscar has evaded DiCaprio throughout his acting career. Of course he later won the coveted prize in 2016 for his role in The Revenant.

3. Presents for the president

The gold-plated smartphone, known as Caviar Supremo Trump Changeover, sports 3D engravings on the case: A portrait of Trump, the U.S. coat of arms, and the motto “Make America Great Again.” Source: AFP/East News

International politicians and heads of state are also sometimes sent unusual gifts from Russia. The 2016 presidential elections in the U.S. inspired Russians to send presents to Donald Trump. The most luxurious gift was a bespoke golden iPhone 7 sent by an upmarket Russian jewelry brand.

Perhaps the weirdest gift for Trump was a portrait of him painted by St. Petersburg-based artist Irina Romanovskaya. What makes the piece unique is that she painted it with her own bare breasts. The portrait was shipped to the White House by post.

Another present sent to Trump was a picture embroidered in a traditional Russian style. Similar artworks have previously been sent from Russia to Elizabeth II and to Juan Carlos I of Spain.

4. A dress for Marine Le Pen

Another present destined for Marine Le Pen, produced by Russian art group White Star, came in the form of a triptych depicting Le Pen, Trump, and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Source: AP

Marion Anne Perrine "Marine" Le Pen, the leader of France's National Front party, has also had her share of gifts from Russia. In April 2017, Russian designers Alla Isakova and Dmitry Doykov created an exclusive white dress for her. Isakova says the dress stands out for its rosebud-shaped sleeves and hidden lining. It was sent, complete with a greeting card, to Le Pen's party headquarters.

Another present destined for the French politician, produced by Russian art group White Star, came in the form of a triptych depicting Le Pen, Trump, and Russian President Vladimir Putin. White Star members visited the National Front headquarters and personally delivered the gift to her. White Star member Maria Katasonova wrote on Facebook on March 30: “Marine was greatly impressed by the piece produced by our art group. She thanked us for our support, for the women's movement created by us, and for the pictures we had given her.”

5. A gamecock for boxer Roy Jones Jr.

One more unusual Russian gift was a gamecock presented to legendary U.S. professional boxer Roy Jones Jr. by his fans after he was granted Russian citizenship. Source: Grigoriy Sisoev/RIA Novosti

One more unusual Russian gift was a gamecock presented to legendary U.S. professional boxer Roy Jones Jr. by his fans after he was granted Russian citizenship (the athlete has held dual U.S./Russian citizenship since 2016).

"This pedigree gamecock became the most unusual present for me, but a very pleasant one," the boxer commented. "I called him Asil, and I am certain that it will become my favorite."