Talks / Ideas / Philosophy

“I vant to suck your blood”: The eternal appeal of vampires

Various venues across London

Mon 12 Oct · 19:00 · £20.25

90m · Talk

About this event

“I vant to suck your blood”: The eternal appeal of vampires With Dr Kaja Franck Summary For centuries, vampires have seized our imaginations. From grotesque revenants, feeding on friends and family, to seductive aristocrats, asking to be invited inside, the vampire has morphed to reflect our darkest fears and desires. Standing at the threshold between life and death, vampires are liminal creatures – neither one thing of another. They have expressed fears around the observance of death rituals, female empowerment, and queer sexualities, amongst other cultural anxieties. A journey which has seen the vampire shift from outcast to villain to misunderstood outsider, and perhaps, even, the hero of the tale. This talk will explore these themes, charting the vampire from folklore to literature and into film and television. We’ll look at accounts of staking undead corpses in the 1700s, Lord Byron’s influence on the literary vampire, Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1897) and its enduring legacy, before contemporary vampire narratives such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer and the recent adaptations of Anne Rice’s vampire novels. Bio Dr Kaja Franck is a Lecturer in English Literature and Programme Lead for the MA: Literature & Culture at the University of Hertfordshire. Her research centres on monsters and monstrous animals. She has previously published on the depiction of werewolves in Dracula (1897), the Canadian Gothic and YA fiction, alongside organising international conferences on werewolves, vampires and faeries in literature and popular culture. Her monograph, The Ecogothic Werewolf in Literature: Wolves, Woods and Wilderness, emerged panting into the wild this year. More recent publications include chapters on troll horror, Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight series (2005-8) and John Polidori’s The Vampyre (1819). She has a soft spot for terrible shark horror. Venue: Sambrook’s Brewery Ram Quarter, Wandsworth SW18 1UR Event Running Time: (we recommend arriving at 6:30pm if you're eating, and 7pm if drinks only) Doors from 6pm Introduction: 7:25pm Lecture: 7:30pm Q&A: 8:10pm Food: If you plan on eating at the venue, we recommend arriving as early as possible so the kitchen can get your order out before the talk starts. FAQs: What is Pints of Knowledge? Pints of Knowledge is a series of public talks where experts, researchers, and big thinkers share fascinating ideas all in the relaxed setting of a pub. We bring brilliant minds and curious audiences together over a pint, covering topics from science and politics to history, art, and beyond. What happens at Pints of Knowledge? At each Pints of Knowledge event, you’ll hear engaging talks (approx. 40 minutes) from expert speakers on fascinating topics — followed by an audience Q&A (approx. 20 minutes). The vibe is informal and social, set in a pub where you can grab a drink, meet interesting people, and enjoy big ideas in a relaxed setting. What if I don't drink alcohol ? No problem at all! Pints of Knowledge is all about the ideas and the community, not the drinks. You’re welcome to enjoy a soft drink, coffee, or whatever you prefer. The focus is on creating a relaxed, social atmosphere where everyone feels comfortable. Can I attend without a ticket? Tickets must be purchased online prior to the event. With our limited capacity at each venue we can't let people in without a ticket. Is there food available? Yes, there is always the option to purchase food at our events. Can I get my ticket refunded? We issue full ticket refunds if you have requested 7 days before the event. Any requests after will be at the discretion of the event organiser. Can I get my ticket exchanged? We issue full ticket exchanges if you have requested 7 days before the event. Any requests after will be at the discretion of the event organiser . Is the event pet friendly? Yes, we allow pets to attend but reserve the right to request their removal if they are disruptive.