Slovanské mýty – Charney Noah (2025)

The myths and legends of the Slavic nations are not as well-known in Western society as the tales from ancient Greece and Rome, but they cannot be denied their allure or impact on culture, including popular culture - after all, it is from Slavic legends that the characters of vampires and werewolves originate... Slovenian anthropologist and linguist Svetlana Slapšak, born in Belgrade and nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2005, and art historian Noah Charney, an American living in Slovenia, have co-authored a book aimed at introducing readers to the significance and charm of Slavic myths and illuminating the historical and cultural context of these stories filled with adventure, magic, monsters, and deities. The authors explore the origins of selected myths, their similarities to the legends of other cultures, and the transformations they underwent due to the rise of Christianity and the later works of 19th-century scholars, who generally sought to promote national consciousness. Alongside Balkan vampires, water demons, Ilya Muromets, and the supreme god Perun, the book also features figures like Libuše, Přemysl, and the Slavic Epic by Alfons Mucha. The stories and academic analysis of their diverse connections are complemented by impressive illustrations in the style of woodcuts.