Fairy tales and folk tales are more than simple entertaining children’s stories. According to ISU Ph.D. candidate Jeff Howard, they are also rich cultural artifacts and reflections of the culture in which they are found.
On Thursday, October 22, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Pocatello’s Marshall Public Library, Howard will share his program “The Foolish Folkhero.” Partially an introduction to folk and fairy tales in general, Howard will also provide background on fairy tale collections compiled or written by several well-known folklorists, including the Grimm Brothers.
Howard will also discuss a character important to Italian folktales, Giufa, known as the simpleton or trickster-hero. Howard became interested in Italian folktales and Giufa after living in southern Italy and among the Italian people. Often appearing in tales alongside his mother, Giufa and his exploits represent not just a light-hearted diversion but also a deeper response to the cultural hierarchy of Italy and a reflection of Italian history, including the fascinating but violent past of Sicily.
This program is free and open to all members of the public. For more information, please call Amy Campbell at 232-1263 ext. 106.
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