Slavic folklore: Baba Yaga and Vasilisa the Beautiful | Folktales and legends for a scary world

[@ailenalma]

What's that one courageous thing you want to do?

[@invictvsreinhardtgermanicv9321]

Skydive

[@ailenalma]

@@invictvsreinhardtgermanicv9321 That sounds awesome! I don't think I could do it but I'm rooting for you 😊

[@romyeichhorn1386]

Trusting a person from university I really like, but therefore am also really afraid of. (Though I am still not sure if that's courageous or stupid 😂) Recently my courage is mostly about that - not fearing people to much. (A bit of caution does not harm, but trust is necessary for a healthy emotional life)

[@DevilWillCry222]

Go to the arctic for one last great adventure

[@godetonter4764]

Invent something that can turn back time about 1000 years

[@kutkoban]

Thank you very much for telling this folk tale to English-speaking people. I am Russian and have known this tale since childhood. It deserves millions of views, you present it in a very atmospheric way, as if you were in the tale yourself❤️

[@ailenalma]

thank you so much! I'm so glad you enjoyed this telling ❤ Ps, I also mentioned Baba Yaga in my new video!

[@michellef.1100]

I am on a self-scripted, self-designed Soul retreat this week. I remembered this folktale from my earlier days and wanted to watch it during my lunch. I found your telling and watched. My dear, it was delightful. You are a gifted storyteller and a gifted wisewoman! I loved your reflection at the end about courage meaning "do it anyway." Blessing upon blessings to you. Much gratitude! Michelle Forsyth, St. Paul, MN

[@lulumoon9]

Just came across your video on Elves and Fairies in folklore, and now this one. I am so happy to come upon a storytelling channel like yours - it's just what I needed! I am always intrigued by the cross-cultural connections in fairy tales. I suppose non-Russians call this the Russian Cinderella story, and Disney's version of Cinderella takes on so many aspects of this Baba Yaga tale, with all the mice and birds helping out. I also can't help but think that Vasalisa's time in Baba Yaga's hut is like an initiatory process which ultimately shows Vasalisa that she can survive despite the obstacles, by calling upon her doll (her ancestors) and nature.

[@curlysue9436]

I wish I could "like" this a million times. Alma, you have such a great voice, and are so talented at sharing stories! I hope you keep making videos where you read/analyze a story 🙂

[@ailenalma]

Thank you so much, I really appreciate that! I definitely will, though my next one is going to be more analysis-driven ❣️

[@simwritten540]

Russian tales are not famous enough for me I really enjoyed discovering Platonov and Afanasyev. You are an amazing story teller!

[@ailenalma]

Thank you so much! And I enjoy Slavic folktales so much, they deserve to be heard!

[@witoldmilanowskimcloughlin1021]

The antiwork movement and its links to folklore sounds very interesting! I look forward in watching that video :D

[@ailenalma]

I shall do it then 😁

[@Jiye4]

I enjoyed this a lot! I'm jealous Vas got to call Baba Yaga grandma! I have a mantle altar for her, she visited my dream when I slept by the fireplace. Also, love that your lamp looks like a mushroom.

[@bearspeakstothestars]

One of the earliest stories I remember hearing and one of the very best of them all. Thanks for telling it here!

[@ailenalma]

I came to it later by myself, but it always felt like something wonderfully alive that I'd unearthed 🖤

[@spektr540hemi]

By and large, I find Baba Yaga to be a rather cordgial Lady of the Woods...

[@bobcommin4142]

This is so good. Well done and may many people find it and be mesmerised by the story teller.

[@ailenalma]

Thank you for the good wishes!

[@stevelauda5435]

Babba Yagga dwells in Poland 🇵🇱 too!

[@Salinda_silva]

my sisters used to told me Vasilisa the Beautiful stories when I was little,now I'm 30 still read the book,it always in my bag.now I realized why I'm so obsessed with russian culture

[@ailenalma]

Oh that's amazing! It's so special when we carry stories with us for such a long time

[@galengene5828]

Most awesome story telling. I enjoyed very much. Three times. 🥰

[@felicitygillespie5247]

Came across your tam pin story. Thank you for telling these tales. I love sharing old stories with my children.

[@jessesmith-garcia5313]

Great story Alma, look forward to seeing your other videos.

[@ailenalma]

So glad you enjoyed it!

[@tori6105]

recently discovered your channel and I love all your story telling ❤🎉

[@ailenalma]

This means so much to me! Thank you 🥰

[@suhotro1]

Thank you for this story. I will use it and let u know

[@cassiefriedman1446]

I love listening to your stories

[@JamiesonHorton]

Great video! I'm so fascinated with the magical doll character and the witch Baba Yaga, that I adapted this tale to the stage.

[@ailenalma]

Really?! that's so cool! What's the name of the play?

[@Quiettekiyet]

These types ofdolls have been part of russian culture for ages. :o)

[@JamiesonHorton]

"Vasalisa the Fair."

[@Joshuazx]

I enjoyed listening. More please.

[@ailenalma]

Thank you! Long time away but there's a new video up today!

[@DevilWillCry222]

Thank you for another great story

[@ailenalma]

Thanks so much, Brandon! I'm so glad you enjoyed this one!

[@romyeichhorn1386]

Beautiful story 😊🍃

[@ailenalma]

Thank you, Romy!

[@jimlast8122]

So so so awesome! I wonder if you have narrated any other Slavic tales??? I was mesmerized....well done well done well done!

[@ailenalma]

So glad you enjoyed my little narration! I haven't done any other Slavic ones yet (though I have a Celtic one and a Scottish-Norse one posted). Is there any that you'd like to see and listen to?

[@jimlast8122]

I have wondered if there is a background to Father Frost and the Snow Maiden. I am catching up on Slavic tradition and folklore...it's really been an amazing journey. Excellent job narrating Vasilisa :-). !!!

[@ailenalma]

@@jimlast8122 Oh they're so interesting! Back in the day when I attempted to learn Russian, my Ukrainian teacher would tell me all about them. I should do more research! It's not Slavic folklore but, in case you're interested, I have a Santa Claus folk history video!

[@StillGamingTM]

This was awesome. Doing stuff DESPITE them being scary - tis required if we want to progress. Can't be comfortable all the time. Thanks for sharing your analysis

[@ailenalma]

I'm so happy you enjoyed it 😊 I'll be uploading a new story video very soon!

[@StillGamingTM]

@@ailenalma … WELL????

[@ailenalma]

@@StillGamingTM lol sorry! Life happened! I'm working on editing as I type 😅😊

[@StillGamingTM]

@@ailenalma Don't apologise, now I feel bad! You'll take as long as you very well want to of course. In fact, perhaps you'll decide youtube will no longer be graced by your presence if its vile community continues to behave like this! But the videos up here so far were great, so if making videos is still something that serves you, then I shall be looking forward to them 😊

[@ailenalma]

@@StillGamingTM nooo don't feel bad! I appreciate that you care enough to ask 😊 Actually the new video is up now! And already working on the next one, which will be much more deep analysis

[@ashleydawn48]

I really enjoyed the way you told the story! Thank you.

[@ailenalma]

I'm so glad! Planning another story already 😊

[@imaginadora4893]

Hermoso cuento! Uno de mis favoritos, junto con el de Madre Nieve de los hnos. Grimm. Y tu narración preciosa y muy entretenida! Y las ilustraciones de Bilibin son una maravilla! Por este cuento tuve una obsesión con las muñecas de bruja y pasé varios años cosiendo👵

[@ailenalma]

¡Me encanta eso! Quiero ver esas muñecas 😍 El de Frau Holle también me fascina.

[@imaginadora4893]

@user-xu3zh5qs9d hola, lo siento si confundimos conceptos, no hablaba particularmente de la muñeca de Vasilisa, me refería a que a partir de este cuento, me obsesione con las muñecas, comúnmente llamadas muñecas de brujas, entiendo que para el purismo sea inexacto, lo siento. Hago referencia a todas las muñecas de tradiciones paganas en las que se deposita mucha magia, mitos y creencia. Tampoco sabia que la muñeca de Vasilisa representaba específicamente a una diosa, siempre interpreté que era una representación de su propio poder, o algo por el estilo, me abres una gran curiosidad ahora sobre el tema🤗

[@esterherschkovich6499]

Well your channel came up, I guess because I was watching Cossack music😊. I like folk stories...

[@elsarovida4195]

I loved it! I used to read the this tales and others from Afanasiev's books to my grabd children 😁

[@ailenalma]

That's fascinating! The illustrated edition?

[@AlexTheADHDProblem]

3:44 "And pouring with rain" Rain audio, check Snow video, che- Wait what?

[@babbisp1]

Why was Vasilisa's step-family unable to light a fire in their house upon her leaving? And what was the meaning of that?

[@lonerangerz777]

Oh Alma! ❤

[@katymeigs5290]

Baba yaga is a shaman who leads Vasilisa in an initiation rite. Baba yaga has been given a bum rap by conquering Christians.

[@susanmoyra3021]

Great story

[@ailenalma]

Thank you, Susan!

[@CloverNunya]

this is my favorite fairy tale!!

[@MartinVoois-b6i]

Heel goed dankjewel! 😊

[@aceharlan3422]

bravo very kool story

[@ailenalma]

Thanks! So happy you liked it! Is there any story you'd like me to record?

[@oberstul1941]

So the legends are true, and Baba Yaga did have a dog! Vasilisa sure was lucky she didn't kill that dog... it would've been a totally different story for her if she did. Good video - cheers!

[@susanmoyra3021]

Thank you for saying that not everything happens for a reason

[@ailenalma]

It's very important to remember that!

[@Beef159]

I would say she was brave❤

[@andrewvelonis5940]

Weren't there also three knights? A black one a red one and I think a golden one.

[@shayanulhaque007]

Do you want to try indian folktales?

[@ML-HS]

There is Baba Yaga, but there is also Baba Roga. Don't think anyone knows about her. Than again, it's specific to Balkan region to my knowledge.

[@leekaminker1931]

i do want to hear about the anti work movement please!!

[@ailenalma]

Woo! I still owe you this one but I just posted a new video after all this time!

[@paulmears5330]

You’ve an old head on young shoulders❤

[@juliereminiec4937]

Vasilisa is another name for the Slavic Goddess of the woods &'animals Devana

[@ailenalma]

Awesome addition, thank you for sharing this!

[@juliereminiec4937]

@@ailenalma You're Welcome

[@Allan_aka_RocKITEman]

@ailenalma >>> I just found your channel, and subbed. BTW, _"book-obsessed hobbit"?_ At 5'5" {165 cm} tall, I am NOT that far behind you...😊

[@lonerangerz777]

Do you need a man? Lol. I can fix that hole in your wall and repaint it! I'll be your "Handy Man". I'm good at all kinds of things.