Faust and Furious: A History of Edinburgh’s Old Town

One of the messages in Faust by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe was that every development is simultaneously a destruction. Join us for this talk by Jim Slaven, a member of Edinburgh Detours, to discuss Goethe's relationship with characters such as Sir Walter Scott and Thomas Carlyle as a lens through which to view the history of the city.

The talk will view its discussion through the prism of class and the idea of a Faustian pact and will pay particular attention to the changes to the Cowgate and St Cecilia's from the 18th century onwards.

Primarily exploring these changes through the arts, including famous figures in the literary, musical, and art worlds, this talk will uncover the connections between these apparently disparate figures.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

St Cecilia's Hall, 50 Niddry Street, Edinburgh, United Kingdom