World Goth Day
World Goth Day is May 22nd
On May 22nd, World Goth Day celebrates the presence of goths by exalting the culture’s individuality, their trends and gathering events. World Goth Day originated as Goth Day in England in 2009, when BBC Radio 6 was looking into music subcultures. It was DJs Cruel Brittania and Martin Oldgoth that paved the way into the celebration of this day. Many believed that Goth day deserved a bigger following and thus it was turned into World Goth Day. The goth culture can be seen through art, architecture, literature, film, music and fashion. Goths are most easily recognized by their fashion style. Black and dark color clothing, heavy make-up and period style-clothing and it even varies by type. The boldness of their fashion sense is unmistakable and hard to miss. It has been increasing in popularity since 2010.
Despite that the word “goth” has been used as a derogatory term for centuries due to its origin of being known as the people to cause havoc in the Roman Empire and causing the destruction of classical civilization, they have influenced art in all its different aspects. Gothic styles have influenced some of the most known artists, buildings and books. A very simple yet concise example are the gothic churches built in Europe. Some of the prime examples are: Westminster Abbey (England), Notre Dame de Paris (France), Basilica of Saint-Denis (France), and Santa Maria del Fiore (Italy).
Image credit: Charles Postiaux/ unsplash
Image credit: Rohan Reddy/ unsplash
Regarding literature, a big portion of classics novels were inspired by the gothic style. Horace Walpole is known as the first gothic novel writer when he published his book The Castle of Otranto. Walpole’s books made way to some the biggest authors of all time, such as, Mary Shelley, Bran Stoker, Edgar Allan Poe, Robert Louis Stevenson, Shirley Jackson, Charlotte and Emily Brontë, and Oscar Wilde.
During the 1970s, British bands adopted a more gothic approach to their melodies and lyrics. Often described as imagery-based lyrics, glam fashion, and an eerie feel to the music. Later in the 1980s, more subcultures emerge, some being cybergoth, gothic metal, gothabilly and steampunk. Some goth bands are: Joy Division, The Cure, Evanescence, Bauhaus, and many others.
How to celebrate Goth Day:
- Dress in goth fashion
- Enjoy the classics of gothic music and find new songs
- Have a goth night
- Read a gothic novel
- Support a local event
A Brief History of Goths
Frankenstein
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Content Editor
Amy Castillo
