This bachelor's thesis involves the creation of a picture book based on the folk character of King Matjaž. The aim of the project is to create an illustrated narrative that combines folk tradition with contemporary issues and concerns. For the focus of my thesis, I have chosen the field of illustration for children and young adults. By reinterpreting this well-known folk hero, I seek to present the harsh reality of war, its indirect impact on contemporary society, and the recurrence of similar conflicts throughout history up to the present day. The illustrations are based on an original story in which King Matjaž confronts moral questions related to war, violence, and issues that have repeatedly emerged throughout history across the world. The theoretical part of the thesis will include an analysis of the social and historical context of the folk tradition surrounding King Matjaž, as well as a discussion of its relevance in the contemporary world. In addition, I will examine existing picture books and graphic novels that address war and its consequences. The central research question of the thesis is how complex themes of war can be presented to a younger audience through the story of a folk-tale hero in a manner that is accessible, ethically sensitive, and visually engaging.
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