WITCHES

Stories From The Eastern West

‘Romania today is possibly the only European country where you can bump into a witch at the supermarket.’

The history of witches in Europe is a tumultuous and violent one. Always on the margins of society and in opposition to any form of hierarchy, their presence sparked fear and prejudice which led to prosecutions and witch hunts. But unbeknownst to many, their traditions have outlasted all of this. In Romania, the 21st century has turned out to be a surprisingly good time for witches.

As a child, Clara learned that they could make anything happen. As a grown up, she had a few questions about it all and decided to knock on a witch’s door. But interviewing a witch turned out not to be so simple...

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Time stamps

[01:08] The spell
[02:09] Ball lightning
[07:14] Clara & her grandmother try to interview a witch
[12:51] Clara & Monika team up
[13:51] The most powerful witch in southeastern Europe
[15:21] What a witch can do
[16:30] Back to square one
[23:00] Credits

Further reading

• Romania's Modern Witches // on CNN Style
• Lucia Sekerková: A Peculiar Look at 21st-Century Witchcraft // photography on The Calvert Journal
• Beneath the Surface: The Occult Inspirations of Poland's Legendary Naive Artist Coal Miners // on Culture.pl
• 9 Supernatural Beings & Places of Polish Folklore // on Culture.pl
• Slavic Daemons: Fearsome & Formidable Females // on Culture.pl
• Séances, Dragons & Chakras: Kraków's Magical Past // on Culture.pl

Further watching

• Witchcraft in Romania // video on VICE Asia Youtube channel

Credits

Written & produced by Monika Proba & Clara Kleininger
Edited by Wojciech Oleksiak & Adam Zulawski
Hosted by Nitzan Reisner & Adam Zulawski
Scoring & sound design by Wojciech Oleksiak

Thanks

A huge thanks to Mrs. Ardelanca and her daughter for foreseeing only good events.