The history of witchcraft and contemporary feminism: a debate

The image of the witch has often been reappropriated by feminists to symbolize a resistance to the patriarchy. Many historians, including academic feminists, remain critical of this, drawing attention instead to the complex phenomenon of witches as ‘persecuted’ across history and cultures. Are populist images of the witch on social media just a play with “re-interpretation and self-representation” or do they misrepresent what a look at historical sources and imagery from feminist perspectives might reveal?

This workshop and debate will start with a creative activity (participants are welcomed to write, draw or simply think about the questions: what do I know about witches? How do I relate to the idea of the witch?) followed by an introduction on the history of witchcraft persecution. After that, there will be an interactive art-historical talk about the symbols and images of witches, and a feminist overview of the different waves and interpretations of the idea of the witch. The afternoon will conclude with a debate around the themes of self-fashioning and historical accuracy, asking to all participants: where do we go from here? What do we do with historical knowledge, and can we reinterpret certain symbols today? Should we reappropriate the idea of the witch, and is there a way to do so?

In line with the aims of the Being Human festival, this event will be welcoming, inclusive and respectful. We are raising questions to foster debate and arguing that humanities, and history in particular, are more than relevant to today’s big questions. Everyone is welcome to attend and no prior knowledge of the topics is required.

Bookings will close on the 14 November.