The world of Ukrainian folk tales is rich, versatile, and often unique. Some stand out with plots or heroes that are not found in other cultures’ lore. For example, Ivasyk-Telesyk, Kotyhoroshko, Kyrylo Kozhumyaka, and the Mare’s Head are distinctly Ukrainian folk characters and stories. They reflect the nation’s history, traditions, and worldview, setting them apart from other Slavic and global fairy tale traditions. Even when similar tales appear elsewhere, they were likely borrowed from Ukrainian folklore, such as Riaba the Hen and Kolobok.
Preserving National Lore in a Hostile Climate
Ukrainian scholars’ collections showcase of the abundance and diversity of folk tales. For instance, Pavlo Chubynsky’s collection alone includes 292 folk tales. He published it just two years after the ill-fated Ems Ukaz of 1876. This decree banned publications in the Ukrainian language, with only a narrow exemption for historical records. Ironically, this exemption gave 19th-century Ukrainian ethnographers and folklorists a crucial lifeline. They could still publish collections of folk tales, riddles, proverbs, and other folkloric materials. The Ems Ukaz explicitly stated:
2. To prohibit the printing of any original works or translations in that dialect [i.e. Ukrainian language] within the [Russian] empire, except for historical records, provided that even these, if they belong to oral folk literature (such as songs, tales, and proverbs), are published without deviation from the common Russian orthography (i.e., not printed using the so-called “Kulishivka” spelling).
Additionally, the same decree directly targeted Pavlo Chubynsky, mentioned above. It banished him and Mykhailo Drahomanov from Ukraine:
11. Immediately expel Drahomanov and Chubynsky from the region as incorrigible and outright dangerous agitators.
Polish Chroniclers of Ukrainian Folk Tales
Beyond Ukrainian scholars, researchers from other cultures also recognised the value of Ukrainian folk tales. Among them, Polish scholars Oskar Kolberg and Josefa Moszyńska.
Unfortunately, very little is known about Josefa Moszyńska. She published Bajki i zagadki ludu Ukraińskiego in 1885 as Volume 9 of Zbiór Wiadomości do Antropologii Krajowej. Notably, most of the tales she recorded came from the Kyiv region.
On the other hand, Oskar Kolberg was a renowned Polish ethnographer who left behind numerous publications and manuscripts. He traveled extensively through Western Ukrainian lands, meticulously recording folk tales, songs, and customs. His multi-volume work, Lud, includes a significant collection of Ukrainian folklore, capturing the rich oral heritage of the Pokuttia region.
Furthermore, Kolberg dedicated four volumes specifically to Ukrainian folklore under the title Pokucia. The fourth volume, published in 1889, is a collection of folk tales.
Analysis of Ukrainian Fairy Tales in English
The collections of Josefa Moszyńska and Oskar Kolberg became the focus of Mykola Sumtsov’s analysis. In 1894, he published Malorusskie Skazki po Sbornikam Kolberga i Mozhynskoy. Recognizing its value, we included this work in our Ukrainian Scholar Library Series. We translated and published it under the title Exploring Ukrainian Folk Tales: A Study of the Polish Collections of Kolberg and Moszyńska.
Key Features of Our Publication:
- Insightful commentaries alongside concise summaries of the folk tales.
- Approximately 150 bibliographical entries, including references to rare and little-known folklore publications.
- Eight detailed indices covering themes such as folk tale heroes, magical objects, impossible tasks, methods of punishment, and more.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to our wonderful editorial board: Mark Shumsky, Halyna Bondarenko, Natalia Stishova, Iryna Zorenko, Yulia Vereshchak, Julian Grodzicky, Mykola Garashchenko, and Svitlana Yakovenko. Your dedication made this achievement possible.
Here, we also want to highlight the important work being done by the Polish Museum of Slavic Mythology (Muzeum Mitologii Słowiańskiej) in promoting and popularizing Slavic mythology. Their efforts help keep these ancient traditions alive.
Further Reading on the Ukrainian Scholar Library: