Festive Greetings, You are cordially invited to join us for a sleigh ride back into the past courtesy of the Christmas episode of our second season. It’s our version of Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale The Fir Tree, which was originally published in 1844 in New Fairy Tales, Volume One, Collection Two (or to give it its Danish title, Nye Eventyr. Første Bind, Anden Samling).
Hans Christian Andersen only had a basic education in a school for poor children, but became a true giant in the world of children’s literature, writing his name indelibly into the history books with his vivid imagination. The Fir Tree isn’t as well-known as some of his other stories, but has a bittersweet quality which makes it hard to forget. It tells of a fir tree who yearns to leave his forest home, only to find that life in the outside world does not live up to his expectations. It is allegorical of the experience of growing old, and as such has a strong resonance with readers of all ages.
Our adaptation uses an early English translation with music by Kevin McLeod and our usual immersive soundscape. We hope you enjoy it.