Christmas Stories in Russian Prose and Poetry: From Folklore Mysticism to Philosophical Inquiry Introduction: The Christmas Holidays as a Cultural Chronotope In Russian literature, the Christmas period (from Christmas to Epiphany) formed a special genre — the "Christmas tale," which flourished in the second half of the 19th century. This genre was closely connected with the folklore tradition, where the Christmas holidays were considered a time when the "thin" boundary between the world of the living and the supernatural becomes thinner, evil spirits are activated, and the future becomes accessible for divination. However, Russian classic writers managed to elevate this layer of folk culture to the level of high literature, rich in social criticism, psychologism, and profound philosophical questions. Basic Features and Evolution of the Genre The Christmas tale in Russia had stable canons, often marked in the same periodicals where they were published for the holidays ("Christmas issue"). Basic features: Compulsory connection to the winter holiday cycle (Christmas, New Year, Maslenitsa, Epiphany). Presence of a miraculous, mystical, or fantastic element (appearance of a spirit, devil, prophetic dream, inexplicable coincidence). Morally-didactic or sentimental ending, often related to the idea of mercy, repentance, family reunification, or, conversely, the inevitability of retribution. Structural completeness: the plot is often built as a test and transformation of the hero (like Dickens' "A Christmas Carol"), but in the Russian tradition, the ending could also be tragic. Prose: From Gogol to Chekhov 1. Nikolai Gogol — "The Night Before Christmas" (1832).The quintessence of the folkloric and mythological view of the Christmas holidays. Here, the supernatural (the devil, witch, Patsyuk) is naturally integrated into the daily life of Dikanka. Gogol masterfully combines folkloric plots (the theft of the moon, the journey for the slippers) with vivid everyday sketches and ... Read more