Apocalypse Not: Relief as prediction for Ragnarok passes!
“The world can breathe a collective sigh of relief!”
“The world can breathe a collective sigh of relief!” That’s the message from the team behind the JORVIK Viking Festival in York, UK, who had predicted that the Norse apocalypse, known as Ragnarok, would occur before 8.00pm GMT today, Saturday 22 February 2014.
The prediction had been based upon interpretation of several of the myths and legends surrounding Ragnarok, the event in Viking mythology which would see the traditional gods fall, and a new world arising for humanity.
Danielle Daglan, Director of the JORVIK Viking Festival, comments: “It goes without saying that we are delighted that our prediction of Ragnarok, the Norse apocalypse, did not actually occur, although given the pyrotechnics and screams of delight this evening at the finale of the JORVIK Viking Festival, people around York might have momentarily believed it did!
“As with any myth or legend, its interpretation is open to debate and our prediction for the date it would take place was simply one suggestion of many. Some scholars have suggested that Ragnarok happened centuries ago – which is why the gods no longer walk amongst us - some believe that it is still to happen, and many others believe that it is just a fantastic story – a true myth.
“For JORVIK Viking Centre, it is fantastic that Ragnarok will not stop us from celebrating the 30thanniversary of the opening of the Centre. Now that we have the cloud of the apocalypse firmly behind us, we can turn our focus to how we celebrate three decades of changing the way that archaeology and history is presented, and start our plans for next year’s spectacular JORVIK Viking Festival which will fittingly be on the theme of a Brave New Viking World!”
With the threat of apocalypse now safely out of the way, the JORVIK Viking Festival will continue tomorrow (Sunday 23 February) with victorious ‘Have-a-go’ sword combat at York’s Merchant Adventurers’ Hall, and 10thCentury Traders in St Sampson’s Square, where Vikings from around the world gather to sell their wares.
For more information, please visit www.jorvik-viking-festival.co.uk
ENDS
Note to editors:
Photographs from “Ragnarok: Battle Spectacular Finale” will be posted to JORVIK Viking Festival’s online press room this evening. http://news.cision.com/jorvik-viking-festival
For further media information, please contact Jay Commins on 01904 500698 or 07810 546567.
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