The Role of a Famous Cartoon in Preserving the Mother Tongue
The Hungarian Folk Tales series has captured the hearts of millions of people around the world with its rich storytelling and vibrant animation. With 100 episodes, it is the second most episodic series in the history of Hungarian animation, and its popularity has not waned over the years.
The idea for the Hungarian Folk Tales series was conceived by studio director Ferenc Mikulás in the late 1970s. The series was first produced at the Pannónia Film Studio in Kecskemét, and later by Kecskemétfilm. The first episodes aired on television in 1980, and the last series was shown in 2012.
On the occasion of the Day of Hungarian Culture, Mikulás, the head of Kecskemétfilm, expressed his happiness at how the Hungarian Folk Tales series has brought the experience of Hungarian mother tongue culture to millions of people over the past decades. The creators were committed to preserving the Hungarian language and culture throughout the series, capturing the essence of traditional fairy tales and peasant society.
The series has become an integral part of Hungarian popular culture, with its main theme song and imagery evoking feelings of childhood, family, and national belonging. The popularity of the Hungarian Folk Tales series extends beyond Hungary, with almost 180 million views on YouTube and viewership in 172 countries around the world.
Fairy tales, like those depicted in the Hungarian Folk Tales series, play an important role in the development of mother tongue and are crucial for Hungarian youth living beyond the borders and in the diaspora. The series has been dubbed in multiple languages, including English and Chinese, making it accessible to a global audience.
The Hungarian Folk Tales series not only entertains but also contributes to emotional and intellectual enrichment, learning, and personal development. It serves as an important cultural mediator, preserving and sharing the rich tradition of Hungarian folklore.
The enduring popularity of the Hungarian Folk Tales series is a testament to the universal appeal of its timeless stories and the artistry of its animation. From its humble beginnings in the late 1970s to its global reach today, the series continues to connect people across borders and generations through the magic of storytelling.
