The project “Freezing cold” puts today’s concern and worry about global warming in perspective and investigates a period in history that was marked by cold conditions – the Little Ice Age. By exploring imaginaries of northern European winter, snow and ice during this period it aims to advance our understanding of discursive, experiential and existential dimensions of the cold.

The presentation will give some examples from the sub-projects, such as: how early modern natural philosophers and scientists conceived of cold climate, ice and snow in new ways; how polar travelers experienced and related the effects of the cold; what aesthetic elements were connected to the cold. The presenters wish to contribute to the cultural history of climate and look forward to the seminar discussion around these matters.

The seminar takes place at the Department of History, Stockholm University, and through Zoom.

Zoom link for seminar 13 November

Convenors: Fredrik Charpentier Ljungqvist (Stockholm University) and Charlotta Forss (Södertörn University).

For information about the seminar, e-mail fredrik.c.l@historia.su.se