The Vampire in Southeastern European Folklore
Almost every culture in the world has folktales about undead beings that consume the flesh and blood of the living.
The mythical creature we today refer to as a vampire came from a region of southeastern Europe in the beginning of the 18th century.
Around this period of time, the folklore that had been passed down verbally for centuries was recorded and published, which led to outbreaks of hysteria and public "vampire hunts" and executions.
A Rise in Hysteria The rise in hysteria around vampire sightings came at an interesting time in European history, during a period that is now referred to as the "Age of Enlightenment".
During this time in which most traditional folk legends were subdued, belief in vampires continued to increase.
Areas where well-documented mass hysteria outbreaks occurred due to alleged vampire attacks include:
Dracula the Novel Dracula is now a term that is almost synonymous with the term vampire.
However, Dracula was originally a novel written in 1897 by the Irish author Bram Stoker, which itself drew inspiration from the southeastern European vampire legends.
The publication of Stoker's novel dramatically influenced the popularity of vampires in modern culture, and the work has been the direct inspiration for a large number of pieces of contemporary theater, film, literature, and television programs.
For more information about a new stage production starring Michel Altieri as Dracula and George Hearn as Professor Van Helsing, visit Dracula on Stage today.
The mythical creature we today refer to as a vampire came from a region of southeastern Europe in the beginning of the 18th century.
Around this period of time, the folklore that had been passed down verbally for centuries was recorded and published, which led to outbreaks of hysteria and public "vampire hunts" and executions.
A Rise in Hysteria The rise in hysteria around vampire sightings came at an interesting time in European history, during a period that is now referred to as the "Age of Enlightenment".
During this time in which most traditional folk legends were subdued, belief in vampires continued to increase.
Areas where well-documented mass hysteria outbreaks occurred due to alleged vampire attacks include:
- East Prussia, 1721
- Habsburg Monarchy, 1725-1734
Dracula the Novel Dracula is now a term that is almost synonymous with the term vampire.
However, Dracula was originally a novel written in 1897 by the Irish author Bram Stoker, which itself drew inspiration from the southeastern European vampire legends.
The publication of Stoker's novel dramatically influenced the popularity of vampires in modern culture, and the work has been the direct inspiration for a large number of pieces of contemporary theater, film, literature, and television programs.
For more information about a new stage production starring Michel Altieri as Dracula and George Hearn as Professor Van Helsing, visit Dracula on Stage today.
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