Eddic Gods and Heroes — the Milieus and Media of their Reception

International Conference 25 - 27 June 2009, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt

Since the 18th century eddic myths have been reproduced, represented and adapted for use in various ways, first in European countries and then worldwide. Their spread has coincided with the development of a great diversity in the media available, culminating in the rise of the so-called "new media" whose character often makes it impossible to classify a particular example of "eddic reception" as belonging to any one given linguistic or national cultural context. Via computer games and "myth portals", in mangas or in music ("pagan metal") Norse or eddic myths spread without regard for national borders and language barriers.

Despite this worldwide circulation the myths themselves are often used as a means towards the establishment of a particular identity. Myths are pressed into the service of many different contexts and ideologies, sometimes ones which are diametrically opposed to one another. Thus the Norse goddess Idunn has lent her name to numerous journals, to several insurance companies, to choruses and sports clubs and to enterprises which produce yeast and cosme­tics. Idunn is also the patroness of fruitgrowers and of the transfer of electronic data. The god Baldr is invoked as a representative of pacifism, but also as a representative of white suprem­acy. Brynhild oscillates between the role of a Fury and the role of a liberator.

Aim of the conference

The goal of the conference is to shed light upon the conditions which lead to the utilization of eddic myths in such a protean manner and also to identify the areas in which eddic myths have chiefly been used. The conference will examine these aspects of the problem from an inter­national perspective using comparative and interdisciplinary methods. It will focus upon the period from the mid-19th century to the present.
The themes of the conference can be summed up in two key words:

Milieux in which reception occurs ...

  • ... for example youth subcultures, political movements, the educated bourgeois establishment (Bildungsbürgertum), the "back-to-nature-movement" (Lebens­reformbewegung), the role-play groups, etc.
  • In which milieux and socio-cultural contexts have the myths been used, and what do the myths represent or what is their function?
  • Is the use of Norse myth a phenomenon associated with popular culture, subcul­tures or the culture of an elite?
  • How is the international character of Edda-reception reconciled with a function in the creation of national or regional identity or of the identity of a particular group?

Media through which receptionoccurs …

  • ... for example opera, Singspiel, literature, art, journals, computer games, internet, cards as collector’s items, etc.
  • Which media are the preferred vehicles in which milieux?
  • Do developments in the media employed change the manner in which the myths are employed?
  • What is the aesthetic effect of the interaction between myths and media?

Kontakt

Institut für Skandinavistik

Geschäftszimmer
Miriam Schmitthenner
Norbert-Wollheim-Platz 1
Raum 155
D-60629 Frankfurt am Main
Tel. +49 (069) 798 32987
schmitthenner[at]em.uni-frankfurt.de

Öffnungszeiten
Montag bis Donnerstag 10-14 Uhr
Freitag 10-13 Uhr

Während der vorlesungsfreien Zeit bleibt das Sekretariat freitags geschlossen!


Haus-/Paketanschrift:
Institut für Skandinavistik
Norbert-Wollheim-Platz 1
D-60323 Frankfurt am Main