Photos by Aniana Heras Cosín
white witch way!?
A performance by Joke Lanz held at NK Berlin on April 30th 2010.
Walpurgis has its roots in ancient pagan customs, superstitions and festivals. At this time of year, the Vikings participated in a ritual that they hoped would hasten the arrival of Spring weather and ensure fertility for their crops and livestock. They would light huge bonfires in hopes of scaring away evil spirits.
According to the ancient legends, this night was the last chance for witches and their nefarious cohorts to stir up trouble before Spring reawakened the land. They were said to congregate on Brocken, the highest peak in the Harz Mountains – a tradition that comes from Goethe's Faust. In the story, the demon Mephistopheles brings Faust to Brocken to consort with the coven of witches.
Many thanks to Rashad Becker, Julian Percy, Farah Hatam, Ute Waldhausen
beste Grüße
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ReplyDeleteBrocken? i once visited a place was called Hexentanzplatz, in the Harz, not so far away from Goslar if my memory is right. is that the same ?
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