Announcing Two Conferences of Folk Belief & the Supernatural: Shetland (UK) in March 2014

Usually information about about conferences is shared via our Facebook but this looked so interesting I've posted it on our blog as well.

The Island Dynamics organisation is putting on a pair of interconnected conferences in Shetland in March 2014 concerning folk belief and the supernatural.

“Folk Belief and Traditions of the Supernatural: Experience, Place, Ritual, and Narrative”, 25-30 March 2014, Shetland, UK

Web: www.islandynamics.org/folkloreconference.html

This innovative conference explores the nature of folk belief and supernatural experience through a series of excursions into the remote communities of the North Isles of the Shetland archipelago. Our small, international group of delegates will speak with tradition bearers and visit sites of local legend. The final days of the conference will be spent in Shetland’s main town of Lerwick, where conference presentations will take place alongside those of “The Supernatural in Literature and Film” conference (below). Due to the unusual nature of this event, if you are interested in attending, it is necessary for you to register and reserve a space as soon as possible. This conference is a collaboration of the Folklore Society, Indiana University’s Department of Folklore & Ethnomusicology, and Nanzan University’s Anthropological Institute.

“The Supernatural in Literature and Film: Ghosts, Fairies, Aliens, Vampires, Monsters, and Demons”, 29-31 March 2014, Shetland, UK

Web: www.islanddynamics.org/supernatural-2014.html

This conference will bring together researchers and practitioners to discuss the role of the supernatural in books and movies, past and present, worldwide. The opening days of the conference will consist of conference presentations to a mixed audience of academics and non-academics. These presentations will take place alongside those of “Folk Belief and Traditions of the Supernatural” (above). On the final day of the conference, delegates will take a storyteller-led tour of some of Shetland stunning sites of natural and cultural heritage. The final deadline for abstracts is 1 October 2013, but to take advantage of early registration rates, you must submit your abstract by 1 June 2013 at the latest.

If you have any questions about either of these events, please check out the websites or e-mail me at agrydehoj@islanddynamics.org.

All the best,
Adam Grydehøj,
Director of Island Dynamics