Germany at the beginning of the 19th century was a patchwork quilt consisting of many small and very tiny states that clung to their sovereignty with all their might. Therefore, the question of creating a unified German state seemed almost insoluble. The patriots of Germany, who did not want to unite the country with “iron and blood,” could only rely on national cultural values. These included folk tales and legends, as well as the German language itself. It was their study that glorified the brothers Jacob (1785-1863) and Wilhelm (1786-1859) Grimm. The Brothers Grimm devoted their lives to the study of German folklore and linguistics, bringing these branches of knowledge to a new level. Their collection of folk tales had a particularly strong influence on the scientific world. The fairy tales published by the Brothers Grimm became a noticeable phenomenon not only in the cultural, but also in the social life of the fragmented country. Hopes that culture would play the role of a real unifier of the nation were not justified. Germany became united thanks to weapons. Nevertheless, the ascetic work of the Grimm brothers was appreciated by their descendants. Their names became one of the symbols of German culture of the 19th century, rich in talent. The brothers' research methods became a model for future researchers. “The Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm” in the 19th century became a recognized standard for folklorists in many countries. Hundreds of scientists, under their influence, went to the countryside and began to collect tales and traditions of their peoples, while trying to write them down as they were - with all their stylistic and phonetic features. One of the immediate followers of the Brothers Grimm was Alexander Nikolaevich Afanasyev, the famous collector and publisher of Russian Folk Tales.