This year, Halloween will take on a cultural dimension during the very first Gothic Horror Festival in Nijmegen. On 31 October, Mariënburgplein will transform into a dwelling place for lovers of gothic literature, urban legends, and folk horror. With films, workshops, lectures and the ultimate horror quiz. The festival is a collaboration between Bibliotheek Gelderland Zuid, LUX, and Radboud University’s English Language and Culture and American Studies programmes.
You have never experienced the library this dark before. How about a workshop on preparing scorpions or writing horror stories? Or a quiz with trivia, picture puzzles, and music clips from online horror magazine De Nachtvlinders? The Gothic Horror Festival offers a substantial and atmospheric programme that goes beyond the traditional spooky fun. The evening provides depth and experience, and invites visitors to embrace darkness in all its forms. “We notice that Halloween is getting more popular each year,” says programme developer Beau Kremers from Bibliotheek Gelderland Zuid. “More and more people are immersing themselves in that dark atmosphere during October – and of course we can’t be left behind.”
In-depth
Researchers from Radboud University will talk about gothic fiction, indigenous gothic writers and creepy film soundtracks. There will also be an interview with Deirdre Sullivan, one of the most successful Irish writers of spooky books. Anne Eekhout will also be a guest. Her debut novel Dogma was nominated for the Bronzen Uil for best Dutch debut novel. She has since written several thrilling novels for (young) adults. Her latest novel Kind van de aarde (Child of the earth) appears on 30 October. Copywriter and horror enthusiast Marloes Keeris will talk about all the ins and outs of ‘Creepypastas’, or online horror legends.
Bloodlust
For fans of horror comics, the second part of the legendary horror comic ‘Bloeddorst’ (Bloodlust). Bloeddorst #2 is a collection of short horror comics in which the absolute best Dutch-language creators of comics and film makers reveal their darkest side. Filmmaker Martin Koolhoven contributed to this collection. Spelslot’s gamemasters will bring gruesome stories to life together with visitors in the ‘Huis of the Nijmeegse Geschiedenis’ (House of Nijmegen History). At LUX, film expert Constant Hoogenbosch will give a lecture on folk horror, and horror films ‘Oddity’ and cult classic The Wicker Man will be screened.
Are you brave enough?
The Gothic Horror Festival will take place on Friday 31 October from 7 pm onwards in Bibliotheek Mariënburg, Lux and the Huis van de Nijmeegse Geschiedenis. The programme is for anyone aged 18 or up. Tickets cost €6.- for students, €7.50 for library members and €10.- for everyone else. Show up in costume and get a welcome drink!
Organisation and partners
The festival is made possible by Bibliotheek Gelderland Zuid, Radboud University’s English Language and Culture and American Studies programmes, LUX, Huis van de Nijmeegse Geschiedenis, De Nachtvlinders, Spelslot, Culture Ireland, EFACIS Irish Itinerary and Government of Ireland Emigrant Support Programme.
