Unique volumes of Brothers Grimm fairy tales discovered in Poland
Unique volumes from the working library of Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm have been rediscovered in a Polish university collection, not as new fairy tales but as annotated research books that shed light on how the brothers gathered and edited European folk stories. Commenters highlight how such finds underscore the vast cultural losses of World War II—for both Polish and German heritage—and the complex history of territorial shifts and nationalism in the region. The thread also revisits how Grimm tales were transformed over time, contrasting the raw, often brutal early versions with later sanitized editions and modern adaptations such as Disney films.
What Was Actually Discovered
- Multiple commenters note the article is unclear: are these new fairy tales, or something else?
- Linked Polish sources and a library paper clarify: these are 27 volumes from the Grimms’ private working library, containing rare prints and unique editions they used as sources.
- The key value is in marginalia, underlining, and source tracking that reveal their research methods, not in new stories.
- Several argue the news title is inaccurate; they suggest rephrasing it to emphasize “portion of Brothers Grimm working library.”
War, Libraries, and Cultural Loss
- The find sparks broader reflection on cultural losses in WWII.
- People note vast destruction of both German and Polish libraries and collections; specific numbers are cited for burned Polish National Library holdings and large German library losses in bombings.
- There is sharp disagreement over a claim that “most” knowledge lost in what is now Poland was German; others counter with evidence of systematic German destruction of Polish culture and looting of Polish art.
- Discussion widens to looting by both Nazis and Soviets, and to post‑war border shifts, ethnic cleansing, and the deliberate erasure of Prussia.
Poland, Germany, and Nationalism
- Long subthread on partitions of the Polish‑Lithuanian Commonwealth, multi‑ethnic empires, and the rise of 19th‑century nationalism.
- One side stresses shared, intertwined histories and sees nationalism as the main later evil.
- Others emphasize deliberate Germanization/Russification of Poles, Polish grievances, and argue that minimizing this is historically misleading.
- Related debate over responsibility for returning looted art and whether descendants should bear obligations.
Nature of Grimm Fairy Tales
- Several recommend reading the first, unsanitized edition in modern translation.
- Commenters describe the early tales as brutal, morally ambiguous, and structurally “weird,” often violating modern storytelling expectations.
- Others argue they do contain morals, reflecting the harsh realities and social norms of lower‑class storytellers.
- A specific story (“Cat and Mouse in Partnership”) is unpacked as an allegory variously for abusive relationships, class exploitation, corrupt rulers, or predatory international politics.
- There’s discussion of how later editions were toned down and Christianized, mainly by one brother, as the collection became children’s literature.
Media, Politics, and Interpretation
- Some joke about Disney mining new material, while others note Disney only directly adapted one Grimm tale.
- A tangent debates whether Disney has “recently” become political vs. having long embedded race and class themes (with Dumbo as a case study); others dismiss this as over‑interpretation.
- Broader claims link nationalism and colonialism to the mindset that enabled WWI/WWII and genocidal “Lebensraum” policies.
Language, Names, and Places
- Clarification that the Polish science outlet’s proper name is “Nauka w Polsce”; discussion of branding using a slightly incorrect form.
- Debate over whether Poznań is a “former German area”: some stress its long Polish history with episodes of German rule; others argue that ancient Germanic presence complicates territorial claims.
- Brief explanation that “Brothers Grimm” follows the original German word order, which stuck in English.
Related Resources and Spin‑offs
- Links to original‑language Grimm editions, modern translations, and a children’s podcast retelling and contextualizing the tales.
- Mention of a lesser‑known Grimm brother whose rediscovered tales were published recently.
- Some express delight at such rediscoveries and see them as encouraging “low‑stakes” anthropology.