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The Third Reich and the Supernatural with Dr. Finn Ballard
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In this Conversation, we will investigate the Nazis’ relationship with the paranormal and illuminate how Hitler and his arch-henchman, Himmler, were deeply influenced by their beliefs in supernatural powers. We’ll talk about how Hitler, since having his sight restored by hypnosis after a bout of ‘psychic blindness’ during WWI, was adamant that he was guided by paranormal forces to lead Germany into a new era, and how he employed the Jewish occultist Erik Jan Hanussen – murdered just after the Nazis’ ascension to power – to teach him how to entrance the masses.
We’ll investigate the esoteric ideological system known as ‘Ariosophy’ (the ‘wisdom of the Aryans’); the occultist ‘Thule Society’ to which many of the Nazis subscribed; the Nazis’ fascination with (and quest for) the Holy Grail; the solstice celebrations of the Third Reich; the ‘Pendulum Institute;' Himmler’s Wewelsburg Castle and Rasputin-esque advisor Karl Maria Wiligut – and much more.
Led by an expert on Third Reich history, Dr. Finn Ballard, this Conversation will explore a lesser-known chapter in Nazi history. Designed to inform curiosity as well as future travels, participants will come away with an increased understanding of a topic often misinterpreted.
Finn grew up in Northern Ireland before moving to England to study and later teach in the department of Film and Literature at the University of Warwick. He completed his doctoral study on German folklore and popular cinema in 2012, and has published extensively in the fields of Film Studies and Gender Studies. Since 2008, he has been living and guiding in Berlin. He now works as a historical advisor for television and film productions set in Berlin, particularly during the Weimar era or Third Reich. He is a journalist for the 'Siegessauele', Europe's foremost Queer magazine, and organises events at Berlin's English-language bookstore 'Another Country'.
This conversation is suitable for all ages.
90 minutes, including a 30 minute Q&A.
In my never ending quest to gain a bit of understanding of the ****, now and in the past, I never fail to take advantage of Dr. Finn Ballard's seminars, even the more esoteric. Once again I came away from his presentation better informed, educated, and enlightened about the Third Reich and also greatly entertained. Dr. Ballard did a wonderful job of researching the importance of the supernatural to development of **** white supremacy and Aryan philosophy. He also separated myth (of which there is a great deal) from documented fact (of which there is even more). Highly recommend that this seminar be back on the schedule at some point.
When Finn Ballard talks about a subject there is always much to learn. and again I found out that the supernatural is an obsession for people I don't have respcct for!