Derby events: Fang-tastic talk at ancient museum will answer your questions about Bram Stoker's Dracula

You might expect the sun to be shining on a warm June afternoon, however a talk that will be sure to send chills down your spine is taking place in Derby.

Bram Stoker’s Dracula is one of the most popular books in the world and now it is the subject of a spooky talk hosted by Derby Museum.

What will make the talk even more awesome is the historical element. 

The event will be hosted by Derby Museum & Art Gallery, which was established in 1879, whilst Bram Stoker’s Dracula was published in 1897.

This promises to be a real celebration of the 19th century.

Dr Kate Cherrell will be speaking extensively on Dracula: Mourning, Death and Resurrection. 

She is an acclaimed researcher and writer specialising in 19th century gothic and spiritualist practice.

The former cemetery worker and keen taphophile (or ‘cemetery enthusiast’) is the creator of a blog exploring the stranger sides of life, death and what’s left behind at BurialsAndBeyond.com.

She can also be seen co-hosting Discovery’s Jack Osbourne’s Haunted Homecoming and Unexplained: Caught on Camera.

On the day, fans can look forward to a two-hour discussion packed with bite, where they can explore the hair-raising topic of vampire mortality.

Do vampire graves really exist?

Did Bram Stoker write about real burials?

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From mortsafes (large iron grates) and caged graves to Hammer Horror, Stoker transformed the way in which we imagine and fear the figure of the vampire.

Dr Kate Cherrell will be covering depictions of death, burial, mourning and resurrection, all terrifying themes in the Stoker classic that celebrates 127 years since publication.

Much like the main character, the pull of Dracula sure has stood the test of time. 

Dracula, or the Prince of Darkness, continues to be the subject of fascination for film-makers, as he was given a starring role in over 80 films since 1922.

A superfan took it one step further and even graded their favourite films by watching 60 Dracula films - that’s dedication right there.

The book that was written during a time of massive cultural and social change and covers wide ground, from the eerie mountains of Transylvania to windswept Whitby and busy streets of London.

Stoker’s eternal classic Dracula was more than just a book.

He provided insight into death and mourning cultures in the UK and Europe, while making readers think about rogue burials, blood-curdling folk tales, and barbaric superstitions.

The event takes place on Saturday, June 8, 2024, from 1pm until 3pm.

Tickets cost £5, Derby Museums Friends can attend free.

Address: Derby Museum and Art Gallery, The Strand, Derby, DE1 1BS

For more information about this Derby Museum event visit their website by clicking here.