Episodes
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...
Published 01/02/21
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.
Published 12/26/20
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...
Published 11/25/20
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!)....
Published 08/01/20
Don’t remember the Pied Piper of Hamilton? Just listen into this classic Romanian tale, and I promise you – the memories will come flooding back. Meet Mogarzea, a kind, unbothered giant man who, oh, just happened to have his soul stolen away from him. But fear not, for his son comes with in clutch with the… what? “What’s the saving grace?!” you ask. The answer? Oh, it’s just one play button away.
Published 07/21/20
Published 07/21/20
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...
Published 07/17/20
James and the Giant Peach? Jack and the Beanstalk? The giant from this classic Croatian fairy tale rivals them all – perhaps not in wits, but most definitely in heart. Meet Reygoch, the charming giant of Frosten City, who loves unconditionally, protects fiercely, and lives contently. Despite his desire for a quiet life in his beloved hometown, Reygoch finds himself in the most wonderful of lands, and in the most difficult of plights. How will he use his strengths to protect his dear,...
Published 07/06/20
Dive into this classic Hungarian folk tale and meet the valiant King Csörsz, beloved by his people and willing to do anything to be with his dear Délibáb, the fairest maiden of the land. However, Délibáb’s evil father, King Rád, states that King Csörsz may only have her hand after carrying her, by water, across the pure land between the Danube and Tisza rivers. Can King Csörsz solve this paradox? How far will he go in the pursuit of true love, and will he prevail against King Rád’s thwarts?...
Published 06/06/20
One of the most famous Russian fairy tales of all time, Vasilisa the Beautiful offers the story of a classic heroine. Dive right in and hear all about how Vasilisa swindles the notorious Baba Yaga with the help of her trusty doll, which possesses some extraordinary powers. Admire and sympathize with dear Vasilisa as she copes with her mother’s death and, with patience and perseverance, emerges for the better, and even finds that which is most sought after by all – love. How does Vasilisa, the...
Published 05/14/20
Dive into this iconic Polish story and meet the Wonder Maiden, whose beauty is known across all seas and in all lands, and Prince Hero, the valiant savior who rescues her from Kosciey (literally, “Boney”), the evil king of the Underground realm. How does Prince Hero pull it off? And, how does an old woman named Jandza come into this, not to mention a fierce, twelve-headed dragon?! Listen in to find out.
Published 04/29/20
Jump into these cherished Ukrainian fairy tales and meet Pan Kotsky, your friendly neighborhood cat, who, with his charming clumsiness and hunting instinct, manages to scare just about everyone! Crazy, right?! Hear about the heartwarming friendship of the dog Sirko and the Wolf, who always stand by each other, just as the best of friends do. And, meet another clever Ukrainian cat, one who always steps in to save her beloved rooster from harm—and with a bandura, of all things? How does she do...
Published 04/22/20
Dive into this classic Serbian tale and meet the legendary villain Baš Čelik (Баш Челик), or True Steel. How does Čelik escape from the king's prison... and with just water, no less!? How will the king's son recover his princess, who, in all the confusion, is captured by Čelik? Believe it or not, the key to the ensuing battle may just be... magic feathers? Crazy! Listen in to find out the answers to all the above questions, and above all, to discover the secret to Čelik's strength.
Published 04/14/20
This iconic Russian fairy tale introduces the infamous Koschei the Deathless, a figure from Slavic folklore with a renowned “inability to die.” After Ivan Tsarevich mistakenly frees Koschei from the makeshift prison the princess Marya Morevna entrapped him in, the tables turn, and a seemingly endless chase ensues. The question for Ivan: how far does Koschei’s immortality extend, and how will he and Marya Morevna discover Koschei’s weakness and regain a true freedom? Tune in to find out.
Published 04/02/20
In this classic Russian folk tale, the Tsar of Russia must give up his beloved son, Ivan Tsarevich, to the Sea Tsar after trading away a coffer against instructions. How will Ivan and Vasilisa the Wise complete the arduous tasks the Sea Tsar has in store? Will they make their way back to sacred Russia? Listen in to find out.
Published 03/26/20
Welcome to Slavic Fairy Tales, a show featuring children’s stories from Russia, Poland, Serbia, and more. Coming soon.  
Published 03/23/20