Slavic Fairy Tales

Haven’t we all at some point wished snowmen could come alive? They’d play into our snowball fights, or sing like Frosty… a girl can dream. Well, today’s the day, folks! That’s exactly what happens in this Russian holiday tale. We’ll meet an elderly couple and their darling Snegurochka, or Snow Maiden: she’s a miraculous child born from snow. Tethered to wintry days, she's forever pale, and snow cold... Snegurochka longs for warmth, for love, for affection. Just what lengths will she go to obtain it? The answer, as always, lies in the story – listen in to find out. And С Новым Годом to all!

WEBSITE ILLUSTRATION DESCRIPTION: A vintage Russian postcard with a beautiful depiction of the Snow Maiden. From the LucyMarket shop on Etsy. See it here: https://rheasslavicadventures.com/2021/01/01/snegurochka-or-snow-maiden-a-russian-new-years-tale/

SKAZKI iOS APP STORE LISTING: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/skazki-learn-russian/id1537668257

Haven’t we all at some point wished snowmen could come alive? They’d play into our snowball fights, or sing like Frosty… a girl can dream. Well, today’s the day, folks! That’s exactly what happens in this Russian holiday tale. We’ll meet an elderly couple and their darling Snegurochka, or Snow Maiden: she’s a miraculous child born from snow. Tethered to wintry days, she's forever pale, and snow cold... Snegurochka longs for warmth, for love, for affection. Just what lengths will she go to obtain it? The answer, as always, lies in the story – listen in to find out. And С Новым Годом to all!

WEBSITE ILLUSTRATION DESCRIPTION: A vintage Russian postcard with a beautiful depiction of the Snow Maiden. From the LucyMarket shop on Etsy. See it here: https://rheasslavicadventures.com/2021/01/01/snegurochka-or-snow-maiden-a-russian-new-years-tale/

SKAZKI iOS APP STORE LISTING: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/skazki-learn-russian/id1537668257

Frost? Ded Moroz? Morozko? Which is it? Could it be… all of them, all at once? Yes! Dive into this classic Russian Christmas tale and meet Father Frost, the omnipresent Russian Winter figure, the famed Slavic Santa Claus. Which of the story’s stepdaughters will win Frost’s winter favor? (Or flavor, if you please!) Will they all make it out alive? And don’t even get me started on that evil stepmother. Can Frost put her in her place? You bet… listen in to find out how.

Frost? Ded Moroz? Morozko? Which is it? Could it be… all of them, all at once? Yes! Dive into this classic Russian Christmas tale and meet Father Frost, the omnipresent Russian Winter figure, the famed Slavic Santa Claus. Which of the story’s stepdaughters will win Frost’s winter favor? (Or flavor, if you please!) Will they all make it out alive? And don’t even get me started on that evil stepmother. Can Frost put her in her place? You bet… listen in to find out how.

There are some things that we humans go to any lengths to protect. Family? Definitely. Reputation? Yup. A wealthy and extensive Tsardom? Of cour– wait, what?! Okay, fine. Most of us don’t carry the fate of an entire Tsardom on our shoulders. Tsar Dadon, on the other hand? Yeah, I don’t envy that guy. In this hilarious Pushkin tale, Tsar Dadon is so desperate to protect his Tsardom that he actually goes so far as to buy a magic golden cockerel from a sketchy eunuch. Highly recommend against this, folks. Yes, the cockerel might (keyword: might) be able to protect the Tsardom, but at what cost? What will Tsar Dadon lose in the process? Will it be family? Reputation? A wealthy and extensive Tsardom? All of the above and more? Bargains always have a way of coming back to you. The question is: will the mighty Tsar Dadon end up with the short end of the stick? This time, the answer might surprise you – listen in to find out!

WEBSITE ILLUSTRATION DESCRIPTIONS: A selection of Ivan Bilibin’s original set and costume sketches for Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov’s corresponding opera (of the same name). Super cool stuff. See them here: https://rheasslavicadventures.com/2020/11/19/the-golden-cockerel-a-russian-fairy-tale

There are some things that we humans go to any lengths to protect. Family? Definitely. Reputation? Yup. A wealthy and extensive Tsardom? Of cour– wait, what?! Okay, fine. Most of us don’t carry the fate of an entire Tsardom on our shoulders. Tsar Dadon, on the other hand? Yeah, I don’t envy that guy. In this hilarious Pushkin tale, Tsar Dadon is so desperate to protect his Tsardom that he actually goes so far as to buy a magic golden cockerel from a sketchy eunuch. Highly recommend against this, folks. Yes, the cockerel might (keyword: might) be able to protect the Tsardom, but at what cost? What will Tsar Dadon lose in the process? Will it be family? Reputation? A wealthy and extensive Tsardom? All of the above and more? Bargains always have a way of coming back to you. The question is: will the mighty Tsar Dadon end up with the short end of the stick? This time, the answer might surprise you – listen in to find out!

WEBSITE ILLUSTRATION DESCRIPTIONS: A selection of Ivan Bilibin’s original set and costume sketches for Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov’s corresponding opera (of the same name). Super cool stuff. See them here: https://rheasslavicadventures.com/2020/11/19/the-golden-cockerel-a-russian-fairy-tale

Ok, raise your hand if you know (and love!) Cinderella. All right, all right, I can’t see your hands, but regardless, I bet you’re going to love this classic Russian twist on the story. For once, it’s not the prince chasing his princess, but rather, the other way around – so refreshing. Not to mention, there’s falcons, feathers, and Finists in the midst! Two last notes before you get started: pay attention to the things that come in threes in this tale (spoiler alert: there’s a lot of them!). And, always remember: the morning is wiser than the evening. Confused? Listen in, and I promise, it will all come together.

WEBSITE ILLUSTRATION DESCRIPTIONS: The complete set of the illustrations of Ivan Bilibin, a renowned Russian illustrator, for the tale “The Feather of Finist the Falcon,” all in their original Russian context. Bilibin’s iconic illustrations propelled the story into the world’s eye; he is, in large respect, responsible for its fame. Can you guess who each of the characters in the depictions are after listening to the story? Comment down below!

 

Ok, raise your hand if you know (and love!) Cinderella. All right, all right, I can’t see your hands, but regardless, I bet you’re going to love this classic Russian twist on the story. For once, it’s not the prince chasing his princess, but rather, the other way around – so refreshing. Not to mention, there’s falcons, feathers, and Finists in the midst! Two last notes before you get started: pay attention to the things that come in threes in this tale (spoiler alert: there’s a lot of them!). And, always remember: the morning is wiser than the evening. Confused? Listen in, and I promise, it will all come together.

WEBSITE ILLUSTRATION DESCRIPTIONS: The complete set of the illustrations of Ivan Bilibin, a renowned Russian illustrator, for the tale “The Feather of Finist the Falcon,” all in their original Russian context. Bilibin’s iconic illustrations propelled the story into the world’s eye; he is, in large respect, responsible for its fame. Can you guess who each of the characters in the depictions are after listening to the story? Comment down below!

 

WEBSITE ILLUSTRATION DESCRIPTION: A beautiful depiction of Mogarzea’s son piping to the elves, drawn by English illustrator Henry Justice Ford.

WEBSITE ILLUSTRATION DESCRIPTION 2: An incredibly detailed drawing of Mogarzea and his son returning home, done by talented English illustrator Henry Justice Ford.

False brides? Magic apples? Wait until you hear what this treasured Albanian tale has in store. Meet the Stirrup Moor, the ultimate, all-powerful shape-shifter, both beautiful and terrible. How will he (or she? Hmm…) help the son of the king of the humans pursue his treasured fair maiden, the daughter of the king of the jinns, and resolve their Romeo and Juliet type plight? Dive into this story to find out. Oh, and? Don’t be surprised if you find yourself drifting into the supernatural realm along the way…