Dr. John Björkman (University of Turku, Finland): “The Black Man of Villavuori sits in that forest, guarding the village border.” Sacred forest sites of folk belief in Southwest Finnish village landscapes | 22 January 2025

Bild: pixabay / 尘 J

22. January 2025, 6 am MST (North America) / 2 pm CET (Germany) / 3 pm EET (Finland)

Title: „The Black Man of Villavuori sits in that forest, guarding the village border.“ Sacred forest sites of folk belief in Southwest Finnish village landscapes.

Authors: Dr. John Björkman (University of Turku, Finland)

Abstract:

In his doctoral thesis in Nordic Folkloristics, John Björkman studied natural places which were considered sacred, meaning magical, supernaturally dangerous or inhabited by supernatural beings in 19th century folk belief in Southwest Finland. Based on recorded historic folklore, Björkman was able to identify and localize 120 such places in the region of Southwest Finland and studied them as part of their contemporary village landscapes. Currently, he works in a research project exploring the transformation of the Finnish ritual forest relationship from prehistoric to modern times by combining the methods of archaeology, folklore, geoinformatics and art. The aim of the project is to increase understanding of the forest relationship and the importance of the experience of sacredness for the forest relationship.

To join the event, please use the Zoom Link: https://uni-jena-de.zoom-x.de/j/65854920539

Meeting-ID: 658 5492 0539; Kenncode: 008070

Coffee Talks Human-Forest-Relationships

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