The History of Folk Horror

Explore the dark origins of folk horror and its connections to ancient customs, folklore and modern anxieties. Followed by Q&A.

Why are we so fascinated by old stories, strange traditions, and the idea that the past might still be hiding in the present? Folk horror often takes us to remote villages, wild landscapes and forgotten beliefs – places where ancient customs and superstition feel very real.

The genre has seen a big comeback in recent years, with new films, TV and books building on classic folk horror from the 1960s and 70s, including The Wicker Man, Witchfinder General and The Blood on Satan's Claw. These stories were inspired by older Gothic and supernatural writing, including the work of Algernon Blackwood, which drew heavily on folklore and real historical beliefs.

Join Dr Sam Le Butt as we explore how folk horror blends history, myth and imagination – and ask: where does folklore end and reality begin?

Doors open at 7pm,talk starts at 7:30pm- come down early to grab a good seat!

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Speaker Bio:

Dr Sam Le Butt (she/her) is a researcher, writer, and educator with a PhD in English Literature from the University of Bristol. She researches fungal horror, Gothic and sci-fi storytelling in contemporary culture, focusing on how monsters tell stories of environmental crisis. She has publications on Japanese cinema and Fungal Gothic and her debut fiction collection, Curious Woman and other Creatures, was published in 2022. She is also a collage artist and workshop facilitator.

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