Folklore Genres
What is a short traditional saying that expresses a general truth or piece of advice?
Proverb (e.g.: "Actions speak louder than words", "Strike while the iron is hot").
In Russian folklore, what does a river often symbolize, especially when crossed by a character?
A boundary between worlds or stages of life.
What building type was central to both religious and political life in medieval Rus’?
The church
Name two films by Eisenstein that focus on two important historical figures of medieval Rus. One is a king, the other is a prince.
The two films are Ivan the Terrible (about Tsar Ivan IV) and Alexander Nevsky (about Prince Alexander Nevsky).
What is one typical way oral folklore is transmitted across generations?
Storytelling
What genre features magical helpers, quests, and often the number three?
Magic folktale/Fairy Tale/Skazka
In folklore, what does the forest typically symbolize?
The unknown or a place of testing
What material was most commonly used in early Kievan Rus' church construction before stone became widespread?
Wood
Which 19th-century movement emphasized collecting and preserving folk culture?
Romantic nationalism
Who was Aristotle Fioravanti?
He was an Italian Renaissance architect and engineer who was invited to Russia by Ivan III and designed the Dormition Cathedral in the Moscow Kremlin.
What medieval East Slavic text blends historical events with biblical and legendary material to construct a narrative of national origins?
The Primary Chronicle (also known as The Tale of Bygone Years)
According to Vladimir Propp, what function does the donor perform in the narrative?
Provides the hero with a magical object or aid.
What is the name of the famous 11th-century cathedral built by Yaroslav the Wise in Kiev?
Saint Sophia Cathedral
What major event in 988 shaped the religious folklore of the East Slavs?
Christianization of Rus
Name the main differences between Orthodox and Catholic icons.
Orthodox icons follow strict symbolic canons, are not realistic but symbolic, do not bear the painter’s signature, and are often believed to be miracle-working. In contrast, Catholic religious art tends to be more naturalistic and emotionally expressive, with artists frequently signing their works.
What distinguishes a legend from a myth in traditional folklore?
Legends are believed to be historical, myths explain cosmology or creation.
What common motif in folklore represents a test the hero must pass before receiving help or a magical object?
A trial or challenge.
Identify at least one function of each of the following buildings located within the Kremlin: Dormition Cathedral, Annunciation Cathedral, Archangel Cathedral, and the Ivan Bell Tower.
Tzar's life circle: Dormition Cathedral--coronation ceremonies and a place for royal burials; Annunciation Cathedral--royal family’s private church and for the baptism of royal children; Archangel Cathedral--the burial site, a royal necropolis; Ivan Bell Tower--a bell tower for the Kremlin and housed the Tsar Bell, used for signaling and ceremonies.
When and why was the Kievan Rus period replaced by the Muscovy period?
The Kievan Rus period declined in the mid-12th century due to internal fragmentation, Mongol invasions (13th century), and weakened central authority. The Muscovy period began in the 14th century, with Muscovy rising to power under Ivan III (Ivan the Great), who became Grand Prince of Moscow in 1462.
What is the term for the icon screen that separates the sanctuary from the nave?
Iconostasis
What is the term for a folkloric story centered around a historical or semi-historical hero?
Epic (bylina)
Which object symbolizes boundary and danger in many fairy tales?
Baba Yaga's hut or fence of bones.
What type of medieval Russian structure combined defense and religious function, often located at city centers?
Kreml or fortified monastery
What period saw a resurgence in ethnographic folklore collection in Russia?
Late 19th to early 20th century.
What is an example of contemporary folklore in digital spaces?
Open Question