The European tradition of the fantastic

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The Fantastic is a universal aspect of humanity, with no single culture monopolizing its diverse forms and interpretations. Cultural representations of the Fantastic vary significantly, as does the definition of what constitutes it across different societies. Europe is often seen as the birthplace of modern fantastic literature, featuring the Gothic novel, epic fantasy in England, German fairy tales, and realistic fantastic tales in France. European authors and artists frequently draw from their own myths, histories, and landscapes, alongside their cultural and literary traditions, often using cultural stereotypes for artistic purposes. This European tradition has influenced and blended with other cultural versions of the Fantastic, fostering an intercultural dialogue. The second volume of Fastitocalon delves into these themes, featuring contributions from various scholars. Roger Bozzetto discusses the Standard French Theory of the Fantastic, while Denis Mellier examines the poetics and politics within the genre. Michael Hemsley analyzes Arthurian poetry and painting, and Marie-Noëlle Biemer explores William Morris's contributions. Other contributors include Marcin Rusnak on humor in death-related issues in Pratchett and Gaiman’s works, Dimitra Fimi on Greek fairy tales, Antje vom Lehn on the bestiary tradition in Harry Potter and Spiderwick, and Kuniko Uemura on the robot fantasy in Osamu Tezuka's work.