Snegurochka
Snegurochka (diminutive) or Snegurka (Russian: Снегу́рочка, Снегу́рка; IPA: [sʲnʲɪˈgurətɕkə, snʲɪˈgurkə]), or The Snow Maiden, is a character in Russian fairy tales.
This character has no apparent roots in traditional Slavic mythology and customs and its first appearance in Russian folklore occurred in the 19th century.
Since Soviet times, Snegurochka is also depicted as the granddaughter and helper of Ded Moroz during the New Year parties for children.
Classification
Tales of the Snegurochka type are Aarne-Thompson type 703* The Snow Maiden. The Snegurochka story compares to tales of type 1362, The Snow-child, where the strange origin is a blatant lie.
Folk tale versions and adaptations
A version of a folk tale about a girl made of snow and named Snegurka (Snezhevinochka; Снегурка (Снежевиночка)) was published in 1869 by Alexander Afanasyev in the second volume of his work The Poetic Outlook on Nature by the Slavs, where he also mentions the German analog, Schneekind ("Snow Child"). In this version, childless Russian peasants Ivan and Marya made a snow doll, which came to life. This version was later included by Louis Léger in Contes Populaires Slaves (1882). Snegurka grows up quickly. A group of girls invite her for a walk in the woods, after which they make a small fire and take turns leaping over it; in some variants, this is on St. John's Day, and a St. John's Day tradition. When Snegurka's turn comes, she starts to jump, but only gets halfway before evaporating into a small cloud. Andrew Lang included this version as "Snowflake" in The Pink Fairy Book (1897).
The Snow Maiden (1952 film)
The Snow Maiden (Russian: Снегу́рочка; tr.:Snegurochka) is a 1952 Soviet/Russian traditionally animated feature film. It was produced at the Soyuzmultfilm studio in Moscow and is based on the Slavic-pagan play of the same name by Aleksandr Ostrovsky (itself largely based on traditional folk tales). Music from Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov's opera The Snow Maiden is used, arranged for the film by L. Shvarts. The animated film was shown at movie theater.
The Snow Maiden is an example of the Socialist Realism period in Russian animation, which was characterized by heavy use of rotoscoping and a focus on adapting traditional Russian folk tales.
The film is listed as being in the public domain on the website of the Russian Federal Agency of Culture and Cinematography. The film also lapsed into the public domain in the United States when its US copyright expired, but the copyright was restored under the GATT treaty.
Plot
Snegurochka (the Snow Maiden), the daughter of beauty the Spring and Ded Moroz, yearns for the companionship of mortal humans. She grows to like the Slavic god-shepherd named Lel, but her heart is unable to know love. Her mother takes pity and gives her this ability, but as soon as she falls in love, her heart warms up and she melts.
Snegurochka (disambiguation)
Snegurochka or Snow Maiden, is a character in Russian fairy tales.
Snegurochka may also refer to:
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