We love Ever After High, but do you know who the Grimm brothers were?/ Amamos a Ever After High, pero sabes quienes fueron los hermanos Grimm?

Who were the Grimm brothers? And why are they so important in today’s fairytale high school land?

Born and raised in Germany, these academic siblings (Jacob and William) were 2 of a family of 9 brothers and sisters. They were really close in age Jacob being the oldest (born in 1785) followed by William (Wilhelm, born in 1786), and in interests: both of them sharing a passion for literature, linguistics and folk stories. They were fascinated by german folklore, dedicating their lives to the research, compilation and publishing of folk tales, accumulating a vast legacy of storytelling that compels us and captures us still today.

The brothers attended the University, confronting adversity and discrimination because of their humble origins. Far from discouraging this was an incentive for them, and they pursued their studies with even more vigor. Although unable to continue studying due to their mother’s death and the responsibility they now had towards their younger siblings, they continued working admirably until they were finally able to publish their first book of stories in 1812. This was followed by other publications.

Based in legends, mythology, novels and folk tales, they edited, wrote and re-wrote a body of work that became so widely recognized that later on earned both brothers honorary doctorates from Universities in Berlin.

Thanks to Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm stories like Cinderella, Snow White, Hansel and Gretel, Rumpeltiltskin, The Frog Prince, Rapunzel, Sleeping Beauty, Little Red Riding Hood, just to name a very few, and authors such as Charles Perrault, have found throughout the years their home in people’s imagination. From children’s libraries to Disney movies, we all have grown up re-living the legacy of the Grimm Brothers.

Is no wonder that Mattel today has taken a twist on their rich story to present them as the Heads of Ever After High. How will it play? What will happen with their interaction? I can only think the Grimm Brothers are thrilled and proud of finally be part of their own unexpected fairytale, and as they would have done themselves, the re-writing of their own story.

Ania

Which is your favorite Grimm brothers tale? Leave a comment and let us know! We would love to hear from you :) 

Nacidos y criados en Alemania, estos hermanos academicos (Jacobo y Guillermo) eran 2 de entre una familia de 9 hermanos y hermanas. Eran  muy cercanos en edad siendo Jacobo el mayor (nacido en 1785) seguido de Guillermo (nacido en el 1786), y en intereses: ambos sentian pasion por la literatura, la linguistica y las historias del folklore. Los fascinaba el folklore aleman, y dedicaron sus vidas a la investigacion, recopilacion y publicacion de cuentos populares , acumulando un vasto legado de narracion de historias que aun hoy dia nos cautiva.

Los hermanos asistieron a la Universidad, enfrentandose a problemas y discriminacion debido a sus humildes origenes.  Esto lejos de desalentarlos fue un incentivo, y se sumieron en sus estudios con un mayor vigor. Aunque no pudieron continuar con sus estudios debido a la muerte de su madre y a la responsabilidad que tuvieron entonces de cuidar a sus hermanos menores, si continuaron trabajando admirablemente hasta que finalmente lograron publicar su primer volumen de historias en el 1812. A esto le siguieron otras publicaciones. 

Basandose en leyendas, mitologia, novelas y cuentos populares, editaron, escribieron y re-escribieron un volumen de trabajo tan ampliamente reconocido que posteriormente les valio a ambos hermanos un Doctorado Honorifico en Universidades de Berlin. 

Gracias a Jacobo y Guillermo Grimm, cuentos como Cenicienta, Blanca Nieves, Hansel y Gretel, Rumpelstiltskin, El Principe Sapo, Rapuncel, La Bella Durmiente y Caperucita Roja, solo por nombrar algunos pocos, y autores como Charles Perrault, han conseguido a traves de los anos su hogar en la imaginacion del publico. Desde librerias infantiles a peliculas de Disney, todos hemos crecido reviviendo el legado de los hermanos Grimm.

No nos debe sorprender que Mattel haya decidido hacer un giro sobre su rica historia y presentarlos como los Directores de Ever After High. Como resultara esta historia? Que sucedera etre ellos? Solo puedo imaginarme que los hermanos Grimm se sienten emocionados y orgullosos de finalmente ser parte de un insospechado cuento de hadas, y asi como lo habrian hecho ellos mismos, de el re-escribir de su propia historia.

Ania

Cual es tu cuento favorito de los hermanos Grimm? Dejanos un comentario para saberlo! Nos encanta leer tu opinion :)