The famous Russian fairytale about the "Snowmaiden" is the subject of artist Lubov Lazareva. She is a graduate of the Palekh Lacquer School and she likes to keep the old Russian folklore and fairytales alive through her excellent detailed work.Â
Size: 12 by 8 by 4 inches...HUGE!
The story of Snowmaiden:
| A daughter was born to Spring and Frost. They call her Snegurochka ("sneg - means snow). As often the case with daughters, she resembled her father. Her beauty could well be compared to the beauty of a sunny winter day. Such beauty is pleasing to look upon, but if you take it to heart the time will come when you feel its coolness. Snegurochka did not know it yet. Her life was carefree and happy in Frost's woodland. A wolf and a bear kept guard over her, and other beasts were her devoted servants. In summer she would go to the edge of the forest and from there, hidden from the sunrays by the trees' leaves, watch in silence young lads and maids from the village enjoying themselves singing and dancing. She noticed that the maids lavished most attention on Lel, a shepherd. She also liked him and wished to join them, make friends with them.
One year, when winter was coming to its end Snegurochka's parents let her join to the young people, first warning her to beware of Lel, as his songs were in fact sunrays disguised in sounds. They penetrated human hearts and lit the flame of love in them. The young girl assured her parents that she was not afraid of either the sun or Lel and left for the village.
The first people she met there were an old childless couple. Asked: "Whose child are you?" Snegurochka answered that she would be daughter of the first to find her. So she settled in the village with the old couple.
At the very first evening party she attracted everybody's attention. Some of the lads even forgot about their brides. Lel abandoned all his pretty admires, too. However, he soon noticed that though Snegurochka accepted love, she was unable to return it. Eventually, the snowmaiden also understood this, became sad and called for her mother's help. Mother Spring was well aware of women's sorrows and presented her daughter the wreath of blooming flowers. At once Snegurochka began to see everything about her through different eyes. Everything became more colourful, more beautiful. She felt that she was able to love. When her glance met that of a young man who had previously been seeking her attention with no success, her heart caught fire and she??melted.
The sun grew brighter because the clouds by which Frost had been protecting his daughter had disappeared. People enjoyed the hot sun and forgot about Snegurochka's death. Only in cold winter they remember the love which warms hearts and formed this tale.
(Based on Russian folk tale "Snegurochka". English language retelling was done by Vadim Shchanitsyn) |
