In A Certain Land
Nicholas Kotar presents Russia's most beloved fairy tales, including stories of Baba Yaga and Ivan the Idiot, in vivid retellings accompanied by original music. These are not academic translations but lively enactments from Kotar's fairy tale collection. The podcast aims to capture the spiritual essence of Russian folklore, offering tales that are both for children and adults. Each episode is designed to evoke the warmth of a grandparent's storytelling by a winter hearth.
Episodes
The Wedding of Dobrynia Nikitich
Fresh from his victory over the dragon Zmei Gorynich, Dobrynia Nikitich encounters a mysterious warrior whose strength far surpasses his own. Blow after blow fails to move the stranger—until the helmet comes off, revealing not a fearsome knight, but someone far more unexpected...What follows is one of the most delightful tales from the Russian epics: a playful contest of strength, wit, and pride t
The Tale of Nikita the Tanner
When a terrible dragon begins demanding a daughter of Kiev every month, even Prince Vladimir cannot protect his own child forever. Carried away to the monster’s distant mountain lair, the princess discovers a surprising secret: the only person the dragon fears is not a famous warrior, but a humble tanner named Nikita.A classic Russian wonder tale of hidden strength, cleverness, and an unlikely her
The Tale of Dobrynia and the Dragon
When the legendary Ilya Muromets becomes war-leader of Kiev, not every hero is pleased. The proud and quick-tempered Alyosha Popovich openly challenges the prince's decision—but an older, wiser warrior steps forward to defend the newcomer. That warrior is Dobrynia Nikitich, and his own story reveals why true greatness is measured by courage, humility, and keeping one's word.In this classic Russian
The Tale of Volga the Warrior Mage
Born with the power to shake the earth and master the secrets of shape-shifting, the young bogatyr Volga Vseslav'evich leads a band of fearless warriors on an impossible mission. As an enemy king prepares to invade Rus, Volga must rely on wit as much as strength, proving that the greatest heroes win battles long before swords are drawn. A remarkable Russian epic of magic, cunning, and one of the o
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The Tale of Ilya Muromets and Nightingale the Outlaw
Ilya Muromets leaves his parents’ home at last, armed with a warrior’s strength and a solemn oath, but the road to Kiev quickly tests both his promise and his mettle. When a great city lies under siege and the deadly Nightingale the Outlaw rules the forest roads with a whistle that can topple armies, Ilya must decide when a vow must bend for the sake of the innocent sufferers.A powerful tale from
The Tale of Ivan the Bull’s Son
A miraculous birth gives a kingdom not one Ivan, but three! Yet among prince, cook’s son, and bull’s son, only one rises first among equals: Ivan the Bull’s son, whose strength can topple boulders, outmatch dragons, and recover kingdoms lost to monsters.When the brothers ride into the deep forest and find Baba Yaga’s hut turning on chicken feet, their journey opens onto a darker path: th
How Ilya Muromets Won Sviatogor’s Sword
In a certain kingdom, in a certain land, young Ilya Muromets rides north into the holy mountains, where the old powers of Rus still linger among thunder, stone, and cloud. He seeks the sword of the legendary giant Sviatogor—a warrior too mighty and great for the earth itself to bear. What begins as a journey for a sword becomes something far greater: a passing of the mantle of strength from the ol
The Childhood of Ilya Muromets
In a certain kingdom, in a certain land, a long-awaited child is born beneath a star bright enough to shake the heavens. His name is Ilya—and though prophecies swirl around his cradle, his path to greatness proves s
The Tale of the Fisherman and the Fish
On the banks of the deep blue sea, an old fisherman casts his net day after day without any change to his routine. But one morning, it brings him a marvel—a golden fish with a human voice and a promise too generous to refuse. What begins as an act of kindness soon draws the fisherman into a rising tide of desires, each larger and more dangerous than the last. With crashing waves, sharp humor, and
The Tale of the Magical Horse
In a certain kingdom, in a certain land, a childless old couple’s prayer is answered in the most unexpected way—by a vow, a chance meeting, and a godfather far grander than anyone could have imagined. As their son Ivan grows with uncanny speed and strength, his fate becomes bound to a horse that is anything but ordinary. From whispered advice and secret transformations to distant kingdoms and impo
The Prince and His Evil Servant
In a certain kingdom, in a certain land, a kind-hearted prince is cast out of his father’s court and forced to wander the world with a servant far more sinister than he appears. Along forest paths and foreign roads, bargains are struck, identities are stolen, and quiet kindness is tested against greed and betrayal. With help from an old forest spirit and a handful of enchanted gifts, The Prin
The Tale of Old Frost
In a certain kingdom, in a certain land, a kind-hearted girl named Masha lives at the mercy of a cruel stepmother—and a winter far colder than she expects. Sent deep into the forest on a promise too good to be true, Masha encounters Old Frost himself, a crackling spirit of ice who tests more than warmth alone. This classic fairy tale unfolds with talking dogs, bitter winds, sharp humor, and a quie
The Red Flower
A merchant’s quest to bring home gifts for his daughters goes terribly wrong when he plucks a forbidden red flower from a dazzling, otherworldly garden. Confronted by a monstrous Beast who demands a life in exchange, the merchant’s youngest and bravest daughter offers herself in her father’s place.Transported to a palace of shimmering halls, singing birds, and silent magic, she discovers a world s
The Three Kingdoms: Copper, Silver, and Gold
When Queen Anastasia is stolen by a shadowy spirit, her youngest son Ivan sets off to find her—after his two elder brothers vanish trying. Along a sea of starlight, he meets three dove-princesses who guide him down through copper, silver, and golden kingdoms to the lair of Raven, Son of Raven.With wit and courage (and a little help from love), Ivan outsmarts the terrible creature, rescues his
The Flying Ship
In a faraway kingdom, an old couple had three sons—two clever, handsome, and vain, and one simple fool with holes in his shirt and crumbs in his beard. When the Tsar announces that whoever can build a ship that sails through both clouds and seas will win the princess’s hand, the clever brothers set out with packed lunches and polished boots… and fail spectacularly.But the fool, armed with nothing
Finist the Bright Falcon
“Finist the Bright Falcon” is a spellbinding Russian fairy tale of love, magic, and courage. When a young girl’s heart is claimed by a mysterious falcon who can transform into a handsome prince, she receives a single magical feather that can summon wonders and treasures. But envy and treachery threaten their bond, sending her on a perilous journey through dark forests, past fearsome witches, and a
The Tale of Sister Alionushka and Brother Ivanushka
What happens when you tell your little brother not to drink from a stream filled with goats? Well… he turns into a goat, of course! Poor Alionushka tries her best to keep Ivanushka safe, but thirst, magic, and mischief get the better of them both.Before long, a king falls in love, a witch stirs up trouble, and even the flowers in the garden forget how to bloom. But never fear—this is a f
The Silver Platter and the Honey-Ripe Apple
Once upon a time, in a land of sunlit meadows, birch forests, and whispering winds, there lived a girl so forgotten that even her own family called her nothing but “idiot-girl.” She wasn’t beautiful or clever or graceful. At least, not in the ways that matter to people who see only with their eyes.But sometimes the quiet ones hold the oldest magic.In this episode, you’ll hear the tale of a silver
The Tale of the Tsar Bear
In a certain kingdom, a careless bargain delivers newborn twins—Prince Ivan and Princess Marya—into the claws of the mighty and terrifying Tsar-Bear. Spirited away to a kingdom beyond the mountains, the children outwit their captor again and again, aided by a falcon, an eagle, and at last a thundering bull. Pursued through forests that spring from combs and lakes of fire born from towels, the sibl
The Tale of the Frog Princess
In a far-off kingdom, in a time long faded into song and silence, a king bids his sons to cast their arrows to the wind—and where the arrows fall, there they shall find their fates. The eldest finds a noble’s daughter, the second a merchant’s maid, but the youngest, Prince Ivan… finds a frog.So begins a tale of riddled wonder: of hidden enchantments, midnight labors, and a bride more radiant than
The Tale of the White Duck
A prince and a princess are married — but their happiness is short-lived. Called away on a distant journey, the prince leaves his bride alone in her tower, with a single warning: do not leave, do not listen to wicked voices, and above all, stay safe. But grief softens resolve, and when a kindly stranger urges the lonely princess to walk in the garden, she agrees.What begins as a quiet moment under
The Tale of the Juvenescent Apples and the Water of Life
When an aging king seeks the mythical apples of youth and the water of life, his boldest sons fail and vanish into enchantment. Only Prince Ivan—humble, cunning, and brave—undertakes the perilous journey beyond the thrice-nine lands. With the aid of three ancient Baba Yagas and a trio of enchanted steeds, he defies death, outwits a warrior princess, and awakens a love that shakes kingdoms.Betrayed
At the Pike’s Command
“At the Pike’s Command” is a classic Russian fairy tale brimming with magic, mischief, and unexpected transformation. Emelya, a lazy and carefree fool, prefers the warmth of the stove to the world beyond—until he catches a&nb
Vasilissa the Beautiful
When her mother dies, young Vasilissa is left with only a strange gift—a tiny doll that comes to life when fed. As her cruel stepmother turns home into a prison, the doll becomes her secret protector.But nothing can
Vasilissa the Wise and the King of Underland
When a wander-lusting king accidentally breaks the laws of hospitality when quenching his thirst, he is forced to give his only son as a hostage to a dangerous king of the underwater lands. But this prince is no pampered ninny. He understands the value of hospitality and kindness. And so he gets some unlooked-for help...Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for m
The Chestnut Roan
Welcome to this new storytelling podcast, where Natalie Wilson and I collaborate to create a story-music experience of the Russian fairy tale that you won't hear anywhere else.This is the first episode in a new version of what used to be called In a Certain Kingdom, a podcast that was part of the Ancient Faith network. It is now hosted by The CiRCE Institute, available on Apple Podcasts, Spot
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