9 July 2025

Photo: Laura Otto

The lecture examines the contradictory images and meanings of Sargassum. Perceptions of this algae range from fascination to repulsion, sometimes appearing as a floating habitat, sometimes as a foul-smelling coastal covering. Using stories, images, and observations, the lecture explores how Sargassum is changing not only beaches but also ideas about nature, beauty, and threat—and how hopes, fears, and new forms of coexistence with the sea are reflected in our dealings with the algae.

Interdisciplinary perspectives on landscapes and ecology
In six captivating lectures from various disciplines in the humanities and social sciences, we invite you to rediscover the multifaceted aspects of our natural environment. From Caribbean paradise beaches to German forests, from fundamental legal questions to ghost stories, from fishermen to toadstools—our speakers unfold a kaleidoscopic picture of the changing relationship between humans and nature. Join us on this journey of discovery between fascination and existential crises.

Lecture series: Von Schönheit und Schrecken
Institute colloquium: Ethnografie & Environmental Humanities

Coordination
Prof. Dr. Ruzana Liburkina / Prof. Dr. Norbert Fischer, both from the Institute for Anthropological Studies in Culture and History, University of Hamburg