Живо преданье старины глубокой

Kercsa, Igor (2002) Живо преданье старины глубокой. Studia Slavica, 47 (1-2). pp. 87-99. ISSN 0039-3363

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Abstract

King Matthias Corvinus' is a beloved figure in the folklore of the Slav nations of the historic Hungarian kingdom. This folklore divides into two groups: in the South Slavs' folklore the genre of historical epos prevails, while in the Slovak, Rusyn and Hungarian folklore King Matthias appears first of all as a protector of the common people against their masters' self-will, as a fair and wise king. In the Rusyn folklore King Matthias and his military leader Pál Kinizsi are being nationalised. They appear as  Rusyns; the tales of King Matthias teem with local toponyms and  often reflect  real historic events and facts. In this way people unintentionally show King Matthias' great services at the legislative definition of the Rusyns' privilegies and rights, which exerted influence upon the shaping of their national identity. The theme of King Matthias' love-affairs, known in the Slovak folklore, does not exist in the Rusyn tradition. Thus, in particular the Rusyns' folklore stands closest to that of Hungarians. In comparison with the Hungarian folklore one can point to its greater severity and elements of sorcery and superstitions, typical in general of the world view of the Rusyn common people.

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