(Not So) Happily Ever After: A Short History of Fairy Tales

Are fairy tales really as timeless as they seem? Ever wondered where these magical stories come from, who they belong to, and why they’ve stuck with us for centuries? In this talk, we’ll dive into the fascinating history of European fairy tales—from their roots in oral storytelling to their rise in popularity in the 18th and 19th centuries, and how they became pop culture icons in the 20th century. Using The Little Mermaid (1837) and selected adaptations as our guide, we’ll explore how the meaning of these tales has transformed over time and reveal some surprising truths hidden beneath the surface. Come discover how much more there is to your favorite fairy tales than meets the eye!

This lecture coincides with the theatre production of The Little Mermaid, at the FAC from Nov. 20–Dec. 29, 2024.

Themed Cocktail: The Drunken Mermaid
Lecturer: Chet Lisiecki, Assistant Professor of German Studies at Colorado College
Tickets: $23 ($16 for FAC Members), includes your first drink. Bar opens at 5 p.m.

About Libation Lectures
Libation Lectures is lecture series offering an educational twist to the traditional happy hour. Each lecture explores an aspect of the amazing art and artists from various FAC exhibitions and theatre shows, served up with a themed drink to help you really dive deep into the topic!

This lecture is part of the Libation Lectures Fall Series, which includes three lectures:

Journey of a Portrait: The Life and Legacy of Elsie Palmer, Friday, August 9
What’s Up with Hitch? A Discussion of the Life and Films of Alfred Hitchcock, Friday, September 27
(not so) Happily Ever After: A Short History of Fairy Tales, Friday, November 15
Tickets: $60 ($39 for FAC Members), includes your first drink