#MythicalMondays: The Stories Europe Still Tells

I travel for the history as much as for the views. Wherever I go, I end up asking about the stories people grew up with: the saint who cursed a bridge, the giant who built a wall, the lake with something under it. Legends tell you what a place believes about itself, and some of them have become so woven into a city that people repeat them without thinking. That is the material I want to collect.

For a long time I have wanted to turn that curiosity into a series on this blog. Now it is happening. Welcome to #MythicalMondays, a monthly post on the myths, legends and folklore of one country.

How the series works

On the first Monday of every month I will publish an article titled ‘Myths, Legends and folklore from (country)’. Each one will be built from reading, conversations with locals and contributions from readers. The aim is not a scholarly survey. It is a collection of the stories people actually tell, with the odd detail that makes them stick.

The idea first came to me through Swiss legends, so Switzerland comes first. Spain follows. After that, the map is open.

Send me a story

If you know a legend, story or myth from your city, region or country, send it to [email protected]. Include your blog URL if you have one, and your Twitter handle or Facebook page, whichever you prefer. I will credit you and include the story in the post for your country.

If you would rather write something longer, you are welcome to contribute a guest post. Get in touch by email, through the contact form or on social media, and we can work out the details.

You can also reach me on Twitter or Facebook using the hashtag #MythicalMondays. I read everything and will reply.

Switzerland in April, Spain in May

Because the first idea came from Swiss legends, Switzerland opens the series in April. Please send Swiss contributions by 3 April, so that I can publish on 6 April. Spain follows in May, and the deadline for Spanish stories is 25 April.

For every other country, mail me whenever you like. Early notes are useful, even if the post is months away. I will write back, and I will keep your story on file.

Why legends matter

A country’s folklore is a kind of memory. It records fears, jokes, warnings and hopes that never made it into official history, and it changes as each generation retells it. Collecting these stories country by country is a way of seeing Europe from the inside rather than from the viewpoint of its monuments.

So join me on the journey. Send a story, argue about a detail, or simply read along. Look out for #MythicalMondays.