Night of the Witch

On this wild, enchanting night, we’re diving into the past, present, and future of the witch Halloween is upon us. Our thoughts turn towards the sacred and the spooky. But what’s more terrifying than a mob of the narrow-minded? You’re going to need your friends tonight. On this wild, enchanting night, we’re diving into the past, present, and future of the witch. Take a dizzying flight from the murderous persecution of European ‘witches’, to the mob mentality that troubles us today. Meet your new friends among theatre, games, cozy tarot card crafting, cups of tea, and ash-black history. Everyone is welcome. After all, a coven is what you make of it. Jan Machielsen Of Cripples and Old Crones: How Misogyny Drove and Broke the European Witch-Hunt Misogyny didn’t just contribute to the persecution of so-called witches in Europe. According to historian Jan Machielsen, it also played a key part in its end. Listen to Jan outline this fascinating new argument. He will also interrogate the idea that you had to be an old woman to be seen as a witch. Jan Machielsen is a historian of early modern religion, 1500–1700, with a particular interest in witches, demons, and saints. He is the author of The Basque Witch-Hunt: A Secret History. Manja Bedner Social Game: Survive the Mob Mentality The witch hunt left considerable traces for women in society today. It still influences how we see women and how they perceive themselves. Manja Bedner, board member of the National Monument to Commemorate Witches and playwright of 'De Heks van Almen' (The Almen Witch), will host a social game to explore mechanisms of exclusion and othering. Manja Bedner has played 'De Heks van Almen' since 2020 on several locations in the Netherlands where witches were persecuted. The play is a 'Living Monument of Exoneration' and has been performed 130 times for 25.000+ people.