THE VÖLVA’S PROPHECY AND THE POWER OF MYTH

When the world around us feels uncertain we return to ancient myths over and over again.
As part of the special programme accompanying KATARSIS, we invite you to a series of conversations exploring themes from the play. This time, Peter Madsen and Henning Kure, the creators of the Danish Valhalla comic series, meet to discuss The Völva’s Prophecy, Ragnarök and the enduring significance of Norse mythology. The conversation is moderated by Lauge Hendriksen from the podcast Mythos.

What does the primordial völva actually tell us about the course of the world and Ragnarök in her prophecy? How should it be read and understood? Is it a story about the end of the world, or some kind of creation myth? And what is it about these ancient stories that continues to fascinate us?

The conversation is in Danish.

Lauge Hendriksen is a journalist, podcaster and media developer. He hosts the podcast Mythos together with cultural historian Sophus Helle, where they explore myths from around the world. Hendriksen is also behind several other podcasts, including Bibelen Leth Fortalt, which he co-hosted with Kristian Leth for DR Lyd.

Peter Madsen is a cartoonist, author, filmmaker and lecturer. He had his first comic strips published at the age of 15 and has been drawing ever since. He is best known for the iconic Valhalla comic series (1979–2009), which has sold more than 500,000 copies in Denmark and been translated into 10 languages.
Madsen has also created works such as Menneskesønnen (1995), Historien om Job (1999) and Urhistorien (2021). Menneskesønnen has received several Danish and international awards, including the Christian Comic Award at the Angoulême International Comics Festival.

Henning Kure is a mythologist, comics creator, author and former editor. Kure is one of the key figures behind the iconic Valhalla comic series, which he developed in collaboration with Peter Madsen, Hans Rancke and Per Vadmand. Kure was an album editor at Interpresse from 1974 to 1988 and has also worked as a script editor on Disney’s Donald Duck and Jumbobøgerne.
Henning Kure is a self-taught expert in Norse mythology and, in addition to his work on the Valhalla series, has published a number of scholarly articles on the subject.