Vulnerabilities Challenging Neo-Kitsch Aesthetics in Dóra Gimesi's Fairy Tales

Abstract: Contemporary Hungarian children's literature has flourished in recent decades, making it difficult to select a representative corpus. However, Dóra Gimesi's eclectic work offers a valuable entry point. Her tales, rooted in folk- and fairy tale traditions and enhanced by her background as a puppetry theater author, director, and dramaturge, address child and adult audiences in a rich crossover style. Rather than commodifying enchantment, Gimesi's stories thematize transformative encounters that challenge fixed identities and worldviews. Her narratives, paired with striking illustrations, invite unpredictable yet profound moments of truth, urging all to embrace our vulnerabilities. Gimesi's storytelling exemplifies how contemporary fairy tales can remain morally resonant while resisting kitsch and formulaic fantasy.