About the book: 2023 / Natalia Osoianu's book about Romanian myths and their most unexpected intersections with Slavic and European mythology. Stories of folklore, fairy-tale characters: devils, vampires, sea maidens and others - from Baba Yaga (Muma Padurii) to Dracula. Romanians have lived for centuries at the crossroads of cultures, and their mutual influence has formed a bizarre picture of Romanian mythology. Much about it seems familiar, and much seems unusual. It has its own dragons - balaurs, sorcerers - solomonars and firebirds - maastras. In it, God and the devil created the earth together. And behind the mask of the famous Count Dracula lies the interweaving of several folklore motifs, equally far from the image of the aristocratic bloodsucker. Writer and translator Natalia Osoianu takes upon herself the task of showing this intricate beauty and originality, opening the door to an unknown world for the reader. From the author Thanks to the novel American Gods by the famous American writer Neil Gaiman, the idea that supernatural beings are able to travel to other lands along with those who believe in them has become widely known and is unlikely to take anyone by surprise. Romanian mythology is an example “American Gods” in real history, since the territory of modern Romania has long been at the crossroads of cultures and has undergone at least three mythological eras: Thracian, Roman and Christian. The mutual influence of religious cults (the so-called religious syncretism) ultimately led to the formation of a pantheon consisting of seemingly Christian saints headed by the Christian God, but if you dig a little deeper, amazing things become clear: take, for example, the fact that the world and humanity , according to Romanian legends, two demiurges were created at once - light and dark, the same enemy of the human race, or the devil. If we consider that throughout its history, the culture of the people, which is now called Romanian, was also influenced by neighboring cultures, including including Slavic, the picture becomes even more complex and beautiful. Showing this intricate beauty and originality is the main task of the book you are holding in your hands, because it is not enough just to open the door to a hitherto unknown world, you must also lure the reader and keep him. Who is this book for? For connoisseurs of history, mythology and their place in modern times. For everyone who wants to immerse themselves in the life of the peoples of the past.