Croatian Fairy Tales

Ivana Brlić-Mažuranić (1874-1938) was a Croatian children's writer and poet. This edition includes six of her magical Croatian fairy tales. Dangerous adventures, marvelous prophecies, unbreakable vows and faithful friendship await readers on the pages of the collection. The texts were translated by Dmitry Valerievich Mochnev. The marvelous illustrations by Vladimir Kirin (1894-1963), an outstanding Croatian painter and graphic artist, will help you immerse yourself in the fairytale reality.
Ivana Brlić-Mažuranić (1874-1938) was a Croatian children's writer and poet. Many generations of her family were famous writers, linguists, social and political figures. The girl received an excellent home education and was fluent in several languages. Following in the footsteps of her famous relatives, the girl from a young age became interested in literature: Ivana wrote essays, poems, stories and novels. The creativity of the writer was mainly oriented to the children's audience. On the example of her children, she comprehended the purity of the child's soul and the peculiarities of the worldview of the child. In 1902 her first collection of stories and songs for the youngest readers was published. Brlić-Mažuranic's writings were highly appreciated by the public and she continued to publish. Ivana was twice nominated for the Nobel Prize and her works have been translated into many languages. In 1916, the collection of her fairy tales "Tales of Olden Days" was published, which is considered the crowning achievement of her literary work and brought her the greatest fame.
This edition contains six of her magical Croatian fairy tales. On the pages of the collection readers will find dangerous adventures, marvelous prophecies, unbreakable vows and examples of loyal friendship. The tales of the collection are imbued with the spirit of magic; they familiarize with extraordinary creatures from the legends of the ancient Slavs: powerful gods, brave bogatyrs, quick-witted domovy and insidious demons. Immerse yourself in the fairy-tale reality will be helped by Vladimir Kirin's marvelous illustrations, depicting in detail the mythical heroes and the events described.
Vladimir Kirin (1894-1963) was a Croatian painter and graphic artist. The future artist was born in Zagreb, in a large family; his father was a theater actor and his mother had a musical education. His parents' house was often visited by prominent artists of the time - this was the atmosphere in which the future artist grew up. Vladimir began to make his first caricatures and sketches at school. In Zagreb he studied at the gymnasium, and then entered the Higher School of Architecture. His education had to be interrupted due to the outbreak of the First World War. At the front, Vladimir rose to the rank of officer, and in peacetime he continued his studies. In an effort to hone his skills, Kirin traveled to London and Vienna to study with the most talented masters of graphics. His work was repeatedly included in exhibitions and auctions. The artist collaborated with magazines, including foreign ones, designed book editions and illustrated works of his contemporaries and compatriots, as well as classics of world literature. The collection of Croatian fairy tales by Ivana Brlić-Mažuranić is traditionally published with drawings by Vladimir Kirin.