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Faerie Tales
Tales and myths are prevalent in all societies, but they are not required to actually involve fairies. The story needs only to inspire imagination and creativity.
While other sections of the fair are devoted to reproducing history as accurately and interestingly as possible, the Fantasy Quarter is dedicated to the imagination. Myths, legends, and timeless tales all belong here. Some examples are Tolkien, any mythology, and Grimm's Fairy Tales. Many are inspired to take part in some good, old-fashioned Orc slaying, and may come as an Elven ranger or Dwarven warrior. Let's not forget the Orcs, though; they'll need to be there to defend themselves. Wizards may meet to discuss the complexities of spells and components. Cherished characters may decide to make their debut: Rapunzel, Hansel and Gretel, Cinderella, Snow White, Little Red Riding Hood - the list goes on.
The Fantasy Quarter is meant to capture the essence of those parts of history that live on in our imaginations: adults and children alike. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit were inspired by many world mythologies, Norse mythology perhaps being the most profound contributor. Many fairy tales began as bedtime stories, wives' tales, and superstition. Some were created as lessons or for religious purposes, others were just for fun. One could argue that many of the most significant insights into the history of humanity lie within such tales and our ability to appreciate them to this day. The actions taken by many of our favorite characters can speak volumes about what was really important to our ancestors, and should be respected as worthy of representation at a celebration of both history and culture.
The Rabbit Hole:
Bibliothèque nationale de France (National Library of France): From the Aristocracy to the Playground: A Short History of Fairy Tales
National Endowment for the Humanities: How the Grimm Brothers Saved the Fairy Tale
Science.org: Some fairy tales may be 6000 years old
Study traces history of some of our favorite folk stories
British Library: What is a fairy tale? With Michael Rosen [YouTube]
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