Mythology and Magic: An Anthropological View of the World of Harry Potter

Utah State University’s Museum of Anthropology continues its “Saturdays at the Museum” series with “Mythology and Magic: An Anthropological View of the World of Harry Potter” Saturday, Oct. 24. The museum will explore how cultures have viewed magic both in the past and present, while exploring the captivating world of Harry Potter.

 

“This is the perfect occasion for anyone who loves Harry Potter or magic to join us at the Museum of Anthropology to learn more about the cultural aspect behind the mythology and magic used in Harry Potter,” said USU student and Saturday Program Planner Heather Laaveg Wencl.

 

Three lectures will be given, the first, at 11 a.m. highlights “Magic and Religion;” 1 p.m.. “Behind the Mythology and Magic in the World of Harry Potter;” and at 3:30 p.m., “Finding the Folk in Harry Potter” by guest lecturer Denver Olmstead, a folklorist who recently presented this paper at the Harry Potter Conference in London, England.

 

At USU, museum guests can participate in a number of activities throughout the day, including a “Magical Artifacts & Objects” tour, focusing on some of the fascinating “magical” objects from diverse world cultures, a visit to Ollivander's wand making shop and to Hogwarts for a few magic lessons. Museum guests who dress up in wizard costumes have a chance to enter a drawing to win prizes.

 

Visitors at the Museum of Anthropology can expect to see a number of Hogwarts regulars milling among them, including the likes of professors Severus Snape and MaGonigal, plus Ginny Weasley, Hermione Granger, Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy.

 

USU students and members of the public are invited to the museum any time during the 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday hours.

 

Funding for the event is made possible by a grant from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services. For more information about the IMLS and its grants, visit its Web site.

 

The USU Museum of Anthropology is on the USU campus in the south turret of the historic Old Main building, Room 252. Free parking is available in the adjacent lot, south of the building. For more information on this event, call museum staff at (435) 797-7545 or visit the museum Web site.

 

 

Source: Museum of Anthropology