Snegurochka facts for kids
Snegurochka (pronounced Snyeh-GOO-roch-ka) is a special character from Russian fairy tales. Her name means "Snow Maiden" or "Snow Girl."
Even though she's very popular, Snegurochka didn't come from ancient Slavic myths. She first appeared in Russian stories in the 1800s.
Since the mid-1900s, especially during the Soviet period, Snegurochka has been known as the granddaughter and helper of Ded Moroz. Ded Moroz is like the Russian Santa Claus. They work together during New Year parties for children.
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Snegurochka in Folk Tales
One of the first folk tales about Snegurochka was written down in 1869 by Alexander Afanasyev. In this story, a childless peasant couple, Ivan and Marya, made a doll out of snow. To their surprise, the snow doll came to life! They named her Snegurka.
Snegurka grew up very quickly. One day, a group of girls invited her to play in the woods. They built a small fire and took turns jumping over it. When it was Snegurka's turn, she tried to jump, but she only got halfway before she melted into a small cloud.
Other Versions of the Story
In another famous story, Snegurochka is the daughter of Spring the Beauty and Ded Moroz. She loved being around people but couldn't feel love herself. Her mother felt sorry for her and gave her the ability to love. But as soon as Snegurochka fell in love, her heart warmed up, and she melted away.
This version of the story was turned into a play called The Snow Maiden by Alexander Ostrovsky in 1873. The famous composer Tchaikovsky wrote music for this play.
The story was also made into a ballet called The Daughter of the Snows in 1878. Later, Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov created an opera called The Snow Maiden: A Spring Fairy Tale in 1880–81.
Snegurochka in Movies and Books
The tale of Snegurochka has been adapted into several films. There was an animated movie in 1952 and a live-action film in 1968.
The story has also inspired books. Ruth Sanderson wrote a picture book called The Snow Princess. In her version, falling in love doesn't kill the princess. Instead, it turns her into a normal human who will eventually pass away. In 2012, a Slovenian poet named Svetlana Makarovič wrote a ballad fairy tale called Sneguročka, inspired by the Russian character.
Snegurochka as Ded Moroz's Granddaughter
In the late Russian Empire, Snegurochka was part of Christmas celebrations. People used small figures of her to decorate fir trees, and she appeared as a character in children's plays.
After Christmas celebrations were allowed again in the Soviet Union in 1935, the New Year became a big holiday. This is when Snegurochka became known as the granddaughter and helper of Ded Moroz.
In this role, she often wears long silver-blue robes and a furry cap or a crown that looks like a snowflake. She is a special part of Ded Moroz's team. No other similar characters in other cultures have a female helper who is their granddaughter.
During New Year's celebrations, children often call out "Sne-gu-roch-ka!" to welcome her when she appears.
Images for kids
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Snow Maiden (1899) by Victor Vasnetsov
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Russian folk tale book cover of Snegurochka (1916)
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Snegurochka between two Ded Morozas
See also
