The Feather of Finist the Falcon: A Russian Folk 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!  

Om Podcasten

Baba Yaga. Vasilisa the Beautiful. Ivan Tsarevich. Veles. Koschei the Deathless. Boginka. Kikimora. Domovoy. Vodyanoy. The Firebird. Ded Moroz. Snegurochka. Vampir. And, of course, the Tsars. These are just a few absolutely iconic characters from Slavic folklore. And with this podcast, Slavic Fairy Tales, they will become your most loved heroes and your most notorious enemies, regular figures in your imagination and the stars of your dreams. I’m your host, Rhea Kapur, a student absolutely enchanted by the Russian language and Slavic culture. I’ll be reading you all kinds of Slavic stories, passed down through the generations by babushka after babushka, told in a fiery pechka or as a little rebyonechek snuggles into bed. We’ll hear the tales of Russia, Poland, Serbia, Czechoslovakia, Ukraine, Croatia, Macedonia, and more, all with a little cultural context tidbit at the end of each show. So, every Wednesday night, grab a soft blanket, dim the lights, get cozy, and let your mind travel into the story. Check out rheasslavicadventures.com/slavic-fairy-tales-podcast for more. До скорого, Рая!