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In A Certain Land

Nicholas Kotar

You know The Brothers Grimm, but do you know the weird and whimsical fairy tales of Russia? Nicholas Kotar brings you Russia’s most beloved fairy tales as you would have heard them from a grandparent sitting near the hearth on a cozy winter evening, the wind howling outside and the courage of these heroic stories lighting a flame in your heart. Enter the world of Baba Yaga, the mysterious hag who can be both friend and foe, and follow Ivan the Idiot as he faces off against a cunning dragon with six heads. These are not stuffy, academic translations, but vividly enacted retellings from Nicholas Kotar’s 3-volume fairy tale collection, accompanied by the original music of composer Natalie Wilson.

Don’t be fooled: these are not just tales for children. As Russian philosopher Ivan Ilyin reminds us, the spiritual meaning of the fairy tale is “like refined and sweet-smelling honey. If you drip it on your tongue, you’ll taste all the ineffable essence of Russia’s nature–the smell of the earth, the heat of the sun, the fragrance of flowers, and something else that is subtle and rich, something eternally youthful and yet eternally ancient… Only he who worships at the altar of facts and has lost the ability to contemplate a state of being ignores fairy tales. Only the one who wants to see with his physical eyes alone, plucking out his spiritual eyes in the process, considers the fairy tale to be dead.”

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22 episodes
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English

Episodes 22

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#27
Thursday · 12 min
The Tale of Sukhmann the Warrior
At a feast in Prince Vladimir's court, the quiet warrior Sukhman makes a simple promise: he will return before dawn with a living swan caught by his own hands. But a chance encounter with the mighty River Dnieper leads him instead to a desperate battle against an invading army—one he must fight entirely alone. Wounded, betrayed, and falsely accused of boasting, Sukhman returns not to honor but to prison, while jealous courtiers dismiss his impossible tale. Only the great Ilya Muromets believes him enough to seek the truth. What follows is one of the most poignant Russian epics: a story of quiet heroism, loyalty, and the tragic cost of serving those who fail to recognize true greatness. One of the oldest and most moving epic poems of the Kievan cycle, this story is a powerful reminder that glory is often won in solitude, and that the greatest heroes do not fight for praise, but because the land they love calls them to stand and fight. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#26
August 16 · 8 min
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 that blossoms into an unforgettable romance. Featuring one of folklore's greatest warrior women, this tale reminds us that true heroes recognize greatness wherever they find it—and that sometimes the strongest opponent can become the truest companion. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#25
August 5 · 14 min
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 hero, this episode follows the man who would rather work with leather than seek glory—until the children of Kiev come begging for his help. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#24
July 10 · 15 min
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 epic, young Dobrynia ignores his mother's warnings and rides to the forbidden River Puchai, where he encounters the fearsome dragon Zmei Gorynich. After sparing the monster's life in an act of mercy, Dobrynia discovers that evil creatures rarely honor their promises. When the dragon kidnaps Prince Vladimir's beloved niece, Zabava Potiatichna, Dobrynia is forced to break his own oath, ride into the serpent's mountain lair, and wage a battle that lasts for days. Filled with dragons, enchanted weapons, impossible endurance, and unforgettable heroes, this epic poem celebrates one of the greatest bogatyrs of the Russian tradition. It's a tale of honor tested, promises broken, and the hard choices that separate true heroes from those who merely seek glory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#23
July 3 · 13 min
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 oldest heroes of the bogatyr tradition. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
June 25 · 4 min
Podcast Update!
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#22
April 30 · 21 min
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 Russian epic tradition, this episode follows the making of Rus’s greatest defender, whose true strength is measured not by might alone, but by courage, mercy, and the will to stand for those who cannot. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#21
April 2 · 30 min
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: the River Currant, the arrow-wood bridge, and a night watch haunted by monstrous foes from another world. But some battles are won not only by strength, but by vigilance, cunning, and the willingness to stand vigil when others sleep. A sweeping tale of dragon-slayers, enchanted traps, brotherhood, and the perilous road home, this episode follows one of the great wonder-tales of the Russian tradition—where every victory hides another test, and the sharpest sword is often wisdom itself. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#20
April 2 · 14 min
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 old to the new and a terrifying test of restraint and wisdom. This is the tale in which Ilya Muromets, Rus’s greatest protector, steps out of legend’s shadow and begins to claim it as his own. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#19
March 13 · 21 min
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 stranger than anyone could imagine. Years of stillness, wandering sages, and a cup of mysterious mead set the stage for the rise of one of the great heroes of old Rus. In this legendary beginning to the tale of Ilya Muromets, strength is not simply given—it must be learned, tempered, and turned toward something greater than selfish gain and grasping power. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#18
February 13 · 12 min
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 a wife whose hunger knows bounds, this classic fairy tale asks a timeless question: when is enough truly enough? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#17
January 29 · 22 min
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 impossible challenges, The Magical Horse is a tale of loyalty, cleverness, and the strange truth that the humblest gifts often carry the greatest power. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#16
January 29 · 20 min
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 Prince and His Evil Servant spins a tale of patience, hidden strength, and the long road by which truth finds its way back into the light. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#15
January 15 · 14 min
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 quiet question at its heart: what does kindness earn when the world turns cold? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#14
Nov 27, 2025 · 20 min
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 shaped by loneliness and longing. As she wanders its golden rooms and moonlit gardens, the Beast becomes her unseen companion—fearsome in voice, mysterious in heart, but kind in words. In this tale of courage, sacrifice, and the slow blossoming of trust and even perhaps love, the young girl must decide what it truly means to keep a promise… and to see with the eyes of the heart. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#13
Nov 13, 2025 · 22 min
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 mother, and gathers kingdoms that follow him like enchanted balls of yarn. Betrayed by his brothers but armed with magic and good sense, he returns in disguise, survives a boiling trial of milk, and wins both his true princess and his happily ever after. A tale of courage, cleverness, and love that soars higher than any raven’s wing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#12
Oct 23, 2025 · 22 min
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 but stale bread and good manners, meets a mysterious old man who teaches him how to build the world’s first flying ship! Along the way, he gathers a band of marvelously strange companions—men who can hear across the world, outrun the wind, eat like an army, and freeze a bathhouse with a handful of straw. Together, this ragtag crew outsmarts a scheming Tsar, wins impossible challenges, and proves that kindness, luck, and a touch of nonsense can carry even a fool into the clouds—and straight into a happy ending. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#11
Sep 25, 2025 · 27 min
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 across distant kingdoms to reclaim her beloved. Rich with enchantment, daring adventure, and the enduring power of true love, this timeless tale celebrates bravery, devotion, and the unexpected joy that comes at the end of the dark road of suffering. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#10
Sep 12, 2025 · 13 min
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 fairy tale, after all, and tears, talking goats, and a dash of courage just might turn sorrow into happily-ever-after. A tale of wandering orphans, watery enchantments, and the most loyal goat you’ll ever meet. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#9
Aug 21, 2025 · 18 min
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 platter, a honey-ripe apple, and a girl who sees the whole world unfold at the edge of wonder. There are envious sisters, a talking reed pipe, a king’s well of living water, and a queen whose mercy is more powerful than any spell. It’s a story of betrayal and resurrection, cruelty and kindness, and the strange, wonderful justice that only fairy tales can deliver. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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