Vampires: The Creatures of the Night – A Slideshow Presentation by Martin V. Riccardo
Chicago vampirologist Martin V. Riccardo will present a slideshow/lecture “Vampires: Creatures of the Night” at the Lyons Public Library on Monday, October 26 at 6:30 pm.
The Lyons Public Library is located at 4209 Joliet Ave., Lyons, IL 60534. Admission is free.
Vampires have penetrated all aspects of popular culture. Vampire researcher Martin V. Riccardo reveals the origins of these bloodthirsty fiends of the midnight realm. Through folklore, literature, movies, and television, the full range of the vampire is examined. Special attention is given to the powerful impact of Bram Stoker’s novel Dracula, and the historical figure of Vlad Tepes known as Dracula in Romania. The program also looks at the real vampire bats of Latin America, and strange reports of unearthly figures such as the vampire of Highgate Cemetery in England, and Dracula’s ghost in Romania.
Martin V. Riccardo is a behavioral hypnotist and the director of Vampire Studies, an information center for vampire fans, which he founded in 1977. He has been quoted in the Wall Street Journal and USA Today in relation to his vampire research. Mr. Riccardo has written many magazine articles and several books on vampires, including Liquid Dreams of Vampires, a study of the vampire image in dreams and fantasies. He has communicated with thousands of vampire fans over the years and is one of the cultural experts consulted in National Vampire.
Founded in Chicago in 1977 as the Vampire Studies Society by Martin V. Riccardo, the organization was the first vampire fan club to use the word “vampire” in its name (there had previously been several organizations built around Dracula). For several years the society published a Journal of Vampirism. The word “society” was dropped in 1990 and Vampire Studies now exists as a correspondence network and information clearing-house for people interested in all aspects of vampire lore. Those interested may contact Riccardo at P.O. Box 151, Berwyn, IL 60402-0151.
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