Natalia Matveeva

Natalia Matveeva
22/04/1969
Nizhny Novgorod, Russia

I am a psychologist, but here I still cannot practise my profession, as the process of recognition of my qualifications is very expensive and slow. I dedicate myself to the study of cultures through the creation of folkloric dolls. These dolls exist in all peoples — they are archetypes and reflect universal values, regardless of country or nationality. They hold stories and memories about the customs and ways of life of each culture.
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I make dolls together with my Ukrainian friend. For us, it is a way of showing that culture can bring people together, even when they come from different countries. For Russian and Ukrainian communities, it is a sign of memory and friendship; for Portuguese people, it is an invitation to discover our roots and their value.
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What I like most about Portuguese people is that there is always someone willing to help. The beauty of the city still amazes me. When we arrived, it was October, still very sunny and full of flowers; in Russia it is already very cold at that time. I felt like I had stepped into a Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale.
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I would like to continue creating cultural projects that bring people together, deepen dialogue between traditions, and find new forms of shared creativity. I want my initiatives to strengthen a sense of community, open new horizons, and bring joy both to Portuguese people and to representatives of other cultures.