Across millennia, the dog has occupied many roles in human history—guardian, hunter, worker, companion, and status symbol. This lecture explores the evolving place of the dog in societies around the world, from ancient civilizations to the modern living room.

We will follow the dog’s journey through archaeological evidence, folklore, art, and literature, examining how dogs served as protectors of homes and flocks, companions to emperors and outcasts alike, and even sacred or feared creatures in religious and magical traditions. In medieval Europe, dogs patrolled castles and symbolized loyalty; in the Renaissance, they adorned portraits of nobility; during industrialization, they took on new roles as guide dogs, police dogs, and wartime messengers.

The lecture will also address how the dog’s role mirrored shifting human attitudes toward animals, nature, and class. From working animal to family member, from status icon to emotional support companion—the dog’s story reveals as much about human societies as it does about canines themselves.

Please, note:

• the total duration of the event is 1 hour ( ~ 50mins lecture and 10mins Q&A)
• the talk doesn’t require any prior training and anyone can join
• This event will be recorded: the video will be available in 3-5 days after the talk
• Guests can access all videos at a small fee; videos for members are free of charge
• if you wish to become a member – please, learn about our membership plans

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SPEAKER – LENA HEIDE-BRENNAND

Lena Schattenherz Heide-Brennand is a Norwegian lecturer who holds a master’s degree in language, culture, and literature. She has been lecturing and teaching various subjects since 1998. Her field of interest and focus has always been topics that others consider strange, eccentric, and eerie, and she has specialised in a variety of dark subjects linked to folklore, mythology and Victorian traditions and medicine. Her students and audience often point out her thorough knowledge about the subjects she is teaching and lecturing, in addition to her charismatic appearance. She has worked as a curator and lecturer for the famous London based Last Tuesday Society and Viktor Wynd Museum for Fine Art and Unnatural History since 2021 and holds the all-time record in the museum’s history with more than 21000 interests on her online lecture on Erotic Folktales in 2022. She refers to herself as a performance lecturer and always gives her audience an outstanding experience.

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