- Title: Trump dolls on sale in Moscow ahead of U.S. election
- Date: 7th November 2016
- Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) SHOP ASSISTANT, EDUARD, SAYING: "People who are collectors, they are mostly the ones who are buying it recently. And there is also demand from foreigners. They come in, buy it and yes, there is demand."
- Embargoed: 22nd November 2016 14:48
- Keywords: Russia election matryoshka dolls Moscow Donald Trump
- Location: MOSCOW, RUSSIA
- City: MOSCOW, RUSSIA
- Country: Russia
- Topics: Government/Politics,Elections/Voting
- Reuters ID: LVA00357G4KEF
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Owners of a souvenir store in central Moscow say traditional Russian matryoshka dolls with portraits of U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump are gaining popularity among collectors and tourists.
Wooden dolls of decreasing size placed one inside another are a popular souvenir choice from Russia.
Some see a metaphor behind the U.S. election-themed souvenir.
"Like matryoshka doll, I think he (Donald Trump) is like this: you open and you get one more inside. Same he's got many layers I think," said Mihir, a tourist from India.
Traditionally the matryoshka dolls are painted as peasant girls in Russian national costumes, but modern versions usually follow popular themes - including actors, musicians, cartoon characters and politicians. In Moscow souvenir stores one can easily find matryoshka dolls with portraits of Russian President Vladimir Putin, German Chancellor Angela Merkel or leaders of the past including late Communist party leaders. The Trump doll is sitting on a shelf between Merkel and late Chinese communist leader Mao Zedong.
"I saw the Donald Trump doll yesterday and I asked myself why. I didn't understand because he hasn't been elected president yet but maybe Russians already perceive him as the new American president," said Elena, an Italian tourist.
Matryoshka dolls with portraits of Hillary Clinton, the Democratic presidential candidate, were not available on sale on Monday (November 7), one day ahead of the U.S. election.
The latest Reuters/Ipsos poll showed Clinton with a 5 percentage point lead over the New York businessman nationally - 44 percent to 39 percent support - while races in the swing states of Florida and North Carolina shifted from favouring Clinton to being too close to call.
Clinton held a 4-point lead in the ABC/Washington Post poll and a CBS news poll released on Monday. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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