Watch the first episode of the National Centre RUSSIA animated series based on Russian fairy tales

The National Centre RUSSIA has launched a new animated series, "The Book of Russian Fairy Tales: The Faraway Kingdom" ("The Thrice-Ninth Tsardom") — a collection of short episodes, each bringing to life a rare fairy tale from one of the peoples of our country. The first episode is already available to watch. The short animated film tells the story of the White Aurochs, a hero of the Karachay epic who rose to defend the order of the world when Night upset the balance and the Moon strayed from its path across the sky.

Each episode of "The Book of Russian Fairy Tales: The Faraway Kingdom", inspired by folk tales, is a visual journey into the world of traditional wisdom that can be enjoyed by audiences of all ages. Using neural networks, the series recreates the styles of the great Russian artists Viktor Vasnetsov, Ivan Bilibin, Nicholas Roerich and Yuri Dekhterev. The atmosphere of the first episode evokes Roerich's paintings and Bilibin's intricate ornamentation: the animation is filled with the grandeur of the mountains and the atmosphere of ancient legends.

The story is linked to the legend of how the two peaks of Mount Elbrus came into being. The mountain was once a single peak, but a great battle between the guardian of the land, the White Aurochs, and the guardian of the world of night, Ay Teyrisi, changed its appearance forever. The animation does more than retell an ancient fairy tale — it invites viewers to discover the nature, culture, history and traditions of the North Caucasus in greater depth, while its story of courage and devotion to duty serves as a reminder of the timeless values that unite all the peoples of Russia.

The Firebird serves as a guide into the magical world of the project. It opens the way for everyone whose heart is filled with curiosity and a readiness for adventure.

"The Book of Russian Fairy Tales: The Faraway Kingdom" is also a bridge between generations. The project speaks to young people in the language of digital technology and dynamic content while keeping sight of what matters most: historical memory, our roots, honour, family, respect for elders and other values that unite us as one multinational people. In 2026, declared the Year of the Unity of the Peoples of Russia, stories like these are especially relevant.

Watch the first episode of "The Book of Russian Fairy Tales: The Faraway Kingdom" on the National Centre RUSSIA's social media channels: MAX, Telegram or VKontakte. More fairy tales, unexpected characters and fascinating discoveries for adults and young viewers are still to come!