Fangs and Folklore

Did Bram Stoker read any folklorists in order to write Dracula? What did he invent outright and what did he develop? How old is traditional belief in Vampires? Where do the stories come from?

We explore these and other questions across three in-depth talks, each followed by a shorter session led by novelists, who will encourage you to develop your own vampires.

This half-day event brings together leading folklorists and writers to think about how authors have drawn on folklore to create vampires.
Featuring speakers –

Dr Gail-Nina Anderson, an art-historian who knows what vampires look like

Prof Matthew Cheeseman, principal investigator of Dracula Returns to Derby

Ms Alexandra Dey, novelist

Mr Jeremy Harte, an expert on supernatural creatures and bargains with the devil

and Dr Juliette Wood, an expert on vampires and the English novel

This event is part of the Being Human Festival, the UK’s national festival of the humanities, taking place 7-16 November 2024. Being Human is led by the School of Advanced Study, University of London, with generous support from Research England, in partnership with the Arts and Humanities Research Council and the British Academy. For further information see beinghumanfestival.org

Refreshments and lunch will be provided by Dracula Returns to Derby, an Arts and Humanities Research Council-funded project led by the University of Derby.

Suitable for adults

Free to attend but places must be booked in advance

Accessibility at Derby Museums 

Image courtesy of Visit Derby