logo
episode-header-image
Oct 2024
23m 18s

The Fifth Floor: Where do vampires come ...

Bbc World Service
About this episode

Commonly associated with Count Dracula, the blood-sucking character in Bram Stoker’s quintessential novel, vampires continue to seduce. But where exactly did the vampire myth originate from? BBC Serbian’s Milica Radenković Jeremić has been researching the cultural history of vampirism. Plus, BBC Africa's Njoroge Muigai talks about the spirits and monsters that terrified him as a child growing up in Kenya.

Produced by Caroline Ferguson, Hannah Dean and Alice Gioia.

(Photo: Faranak Amidi. Credit: Tricia Yourkevich.)

Up next
Today
Eternal horizons
*** This programme contains graphic descriptions of body mutilation *** In the Nepalese Himalaya, one of the world’s rarest and most spiritually profound funeral rites is still practised: the Sky Burial. In some circumstances when a person dies, their body is offered to wild vult ... Show More
26m 30s
Yesterday
Stories from the New Silk Road: The Bering Sea
In 1867, the US government bought Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million dollars. At the time, critics questioned the value of purchasing such an inhospitable and remote territory. Yet today, due to its abundance of natural resources, America’s largest state has proved to be a signi ... Show More
26m 30s
Jan 13
Putin's foreign fighters
*** This programme contains very strong language *** Over the past year, BBC Eye has followed the journeys of young men from Syria, Egypt, and Yemen who travelled to Russia in search of work, only to end up on the frontlines in Ukraine. Why are these men risking their lives in a ... Show More
29m 44s
Recommended Episodes
Oct 2024
Vampires Feed on Fear
Dubbed “The Last Vampire of New England,” Mercy Lena Brown allegedly feasted on her own family. But she wasn’t the first vampire, or the last. Stories like Lena’s evolved into modern day conspiracy theories, including a vaccine designed to turn you into a vampire, vampire hunting ... Show More
46m 16s
Oct 2024
The History of Vampires
<p>Dive into the captivating world of vampire lore as we unravel the centuries-old history of these immortal creatures. From ancient myths to modern pop culture, join us on a mesmerizing journey through the evolution of vampire legends. Discover the origins, folklore, and endurin ... Show More
32m 7s
Dec 2024
Nosferatu Rises Again (feat. Robert Eggers)
**For this HTW special feature, Sally interviews director Robert Eggers about his new historically inspired film, Nosferatu.** Winter, 1476. Vlad III is a prince in Wallachia, in present-day Romania. He is a violent man, so violent that he earns the nickname "Vlad the Impaler." H ... Show More
24m 30s
Oct 2024
Why don’t vampires cast reflections? | Eric Nuzum
<p>Exploring the history and evolution of vampire lore, author Eric Nuzum traces the origins of these spooky stories, from misunderstandings of death to the sparkly pop culture icons we know today. Beyond the fangs and garlic, he digs into the deeper, everyday fears that vampires ... Show More
11m 36s
Aug 2024
Vampires
Vampires are enigmatic, immortal beings who thrive on human blood, lurking in the shadows and shunning the sun. Do these Mysterious beings truly exist? We dive into the bizarre history of Vampires and hear stories of individuals who claim to have met them! To watch the podcast on ... Show More
1h 1m
Oct 2024
CZM Book Club: "The Vampire Maid" by Hume Nisbet
Margaret reads you a story in which vampires serve as a metaphor for yet another thing, because vampires are cool.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 
22m 1s
Oct 27
359. History of Vampires (English Vocabulary Lesson)
When you hear the word vampire, what comes to mind? Dracula? The Twilight books? Ancient castles in Transylvania? What if I told you that vampire stories are much older, and much stranger, than you think? In today’s Halloween special episode of Thinking in English, we’re going to ... Show More
17m 12s
May 2025
The Bright Legacy of Dark Shadows
Next year marks the 60th anniversary of Dark Shadows. The gothic soap opera wasn’t originally intended to include a vampire, but when creator Dan Curtis introduced the character of Barnabas Collins in a last-ditch effort to avoid cancellation, he inadvertently launched a cultural ... Show More
39m 45s
Mar 2025
Why don’t vampires cast reflections? | Eric Nuzum
<p>Exploring the history and evolution of vampire lore, author Eric Nuzum traces the origins of these spooky stories, from misunderstandings of death to the sparkly pop culture icons we know today. Beyond the fangs and garlic, he digs into the deeper, everyday fears that vampires ... Show More
12m 22s