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What is Folklore?

  • 25/10/2022
  • Online talk

Richard Jenkins

What is Folklore?

Online talk by Prof. Richard Jenkins (University of Sheffield)

Tuesday 25 October 2022, 18:30 BST

Folklore in Britain, and its study, seems to be in increasing danger of being understood by the public – particularly on the Internet – as ‘ghosties, ghoulies and long-leggedy beasties’…with a bit of witchcraft, paganism, and Gothic horror thrown in: quaint and spooky at best, creepy and sinister at worst. Yet, consult any of the ‘classic definitions’ of folklore (not least the definition on the Folklore Society’s website) and the picture that presents itself is wider and altogether more mundane; and arguably more interesting and significant. In this talk, Richard Jenkins will look at why we are where we are, and what, if anything, we should do about it. Along the way, he will present some examples of what he sees as an alternative to ‘clickbait’ folklore.

Trained as an anthropologist, Richard Jenkins retired as Professor of Sociology at the University of Sheffield in 2014. He is a Trustee and Treasurer of The Folklore Society.

Tickets £5.00: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/what-is-folklore-tickets-444008821337 (£3.00 for Folklore Society members with Promo Code: just log in to the Members Only area to get the Promo Code)

Every ticket sold supports the work of The Folklore Society