Gothic epidemiology

Nükhet Varlik

Nükhet Varlik After last year’s Halloween was plagued by doubt and worry thanks to a pandemic with no clear end in sight, last week’s Halloween may have felt especially exciting for those who were ready to celebrate it. I am a historian of pandemics. Halloween is my favourite holiday because I got to wear my plague doctor costume complete with a beaked mask. But the annual occasion opens a little window of freedom for all ages. It lets people move beyond their ordinary social roles, identities and appearances. It is spooky and morbid, yet playful. Even though death is symbolically very much present in Halloween, it’s also a time to celebrate life. It draws from mixed emotions that resonate even more than usual during the Covid-19 era. Looking at…

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Saturday Star (Digital) - 1 Issue, 2021-11-06

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