Valentina Santini, One cannot escape the name of Tut-ankh-Amen anywhere: Tutmania and the influence of Tutankhamun in pop culture
Abstract:
Since the discovery of his tomb – which happened more than a century ago, in 1922 – Tutankhamun has become a proper legend. In Egypt the young pharaoh is still regarded as a symbol of an esteemed heritage, but in the so-called “Western” societies, Tutankhamun has assumed a variety of roles – serving as a promotional figure for items such disks, pens, and cigarettes, as well as the main character of novels (even romances!) and songs. What is the reason behind Tutankhamun’s lasting renown, and how has his fame been built over the decades? How come that a person who lived hundreds of years ago has been oftentimes considered the finest representative of modern fashion items and other present-day goods?
Speaker bio:
Valentina is currently pursuing her PhD in Egyptology at the University of Birmingham (UK), and is Egyptologist and responsible for communication at the centre for archaeological studies CAMNES, based in Florence (Italy). She is also involved in the Egypopcult Project, which aims to promote the study of the perception of ancient Egypt in contemporary cultures. She has participated in numerous international conferences, authored various scientific papers, and published books for a broad audience.
