Journal of Folklore and Popular Culture (Jun 2023)
Popularization of Slovak Folk Tales in Poland
Abstract
The reflection about research on Slavic folklore must be accompanied by a careful reminder that in the 19th century many people showed general interest in it and carried out field studies: these were amateurs, travellers, journalists and professional gatherers, i.e. ethnologists, and in the 20th century – folklorists (who continued the earlier work following accepted scientific curricula). The close linguistic affinity of the Slavs, similarity of political situations and social structures of folklore depositaries throughout history facilitated and developed comparative research on various folklore genres (tales, songs, legends, proverbs, comic stories). In the 19th century, Slovak songs were distinguished by Oskar Kolberg. Conversely, a concrete example of pioneering academic achievements in folk tale studies in Slovakia includes the tales collected by Pavol Dobšinský and Samuel Czambel, and later (in the first half of the 20th century) by Frank Wollman and his followers; and after World War II – by Viera Gašpariková. Many integrative, interethnic and comparative research initiatives have been directly linked to the tales and resulted in printing valuable collections of texts edited by folklorists from Poland and Slovakia e.g. Śpiewająca lipka. Bajki Słowian Zachodnich (The Singing Linden Tree. The Tales of the West Slavs), Zbójnicki dar. Polskie i słowackie opowiadania tatrzańskie (The Robber’s Gift. Polish and Slovak Stories about the Tatras), Słoneczny koń. Bajki słowackie (The Sunny Horse. Slovak Tales), Skarb w garncu. Humor ludowy Słowian Zachodnich (The Treasure in the Pot. Folk Humour of the West Slavs), Bajki słowackie (Slovak Tales by P. Dobšinský). According to the author of the article, Polish and Slovak work in the field of tales stands out among the research on folklore genealogy of the Slavs. Therefore, she focuses on the anthologies that promote and popularize Slovak tales in Poland.
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