Gothic Novels — The Precursors of Fantasy

💡 On September 26, as part of the “Fantasy” lecture series at the Academy of Thinking, a salon-style discussion will be held with literary scholar Zaal Chkheidze on the topic “Gothic Novels — The Precursors of Fantasy.”

➡ The lecture explores the literary and cultural foundations that preceded the fantasy genre and played a significant role in shaping modern fantasy.

➡ The session will focus on the 19th-century Gothic novel, selected forms of medieval literature, and European fairy tales, examining how these traditions first contributed to the development of the Gothic novel and later became part of the foundations of the fantasy genre.

➡ Special attention will be given to specific literary works and details that are valuable both for fantasy readers and for authors working within the genre.

The lecture will also explore the distinction between mythological and rational thinking, and why understanding these two perspectives is important for both interpreting and creating a fully developed fantasy text.

🍰 A buffet and a welcoming atmosphere will be provided during the event.

⏳ Duration: 2–3 hours.