Pagan Revival Movements in Scandinavia and Baltics: A Study of Ancient Religion in Modern Times

Dear Colleagues,

Introduction: In recent decades, there has been a remarkable resurgence of interest in ancient religions across Scandinavia and the Baltics. This revival, often referred to as the Pagan Revival Movement, reflects a growing desire to reconnect with pre-Christian spiritual traditions and cultural heritage. The significance of this research area lies in its interdisciplinary nature, encompassing religious studies, anthropology, history, and cultural studies. Understanding these movements provides valuable insights into contemporary identity formation, cultural continuity, and the ways ancient belief systems adapt and transform in modern contexts.

We are pleased to invite you to contribute to this Special Issue entitled “Pagan Revival Movements in Scandinavia and Baltics: A Study of Ancient Religion in Modern Times.”

Aim of the Special Issue: This Special Issue aims to explore the revival and reinterpretation of ancient pagan practices in contemporary Scandinavian and Baltic societies. It seeks to investigate how these movements intersect with issues of modern identity, cultural politics, and social change. The scope of this Special Issue aligns with our journal’s commitment to advancing scholarship in the humanities and social sciences, particularly in the fields of religious studies, cultural history, and modern social movements. By focusing on the specific geographic and cultural contexts of Scandinavia and the Baltics, we aim to provide a nuanced understanding that is neither too broad to lose specificity nor too narrow to limit comprehensive analysis.

Suggested Themes and Article Types: In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome and research areas may include, but are not limited to:

• Historical Perspectives—Analyses of ancient pagan practices and their documentation, archaeological findings, and historical narratives;
• Contemporary Movements—Studies on the modern revival of paganism, including neo-pagan communities, rituals, their relationship to modern spirituality and the role of digital media in these movements;
• Cultural and Identity Studies—Investigations into how pagan revivalism influences contemporary cultural identity, nationalism, cultural heritage, cultural memory, the representation of ancient religion and mythology in popular culture, and regionalism in Scandinavia and the Baltics, as well as Baltic mythology;
• Comparative Religion—Comparative analyses between ancient pagan practices and other religious traditions, both historical and modern.

We look forward to receiving your valuable contributions to this Special Issue, which promises to offer significant insights into the enduring legacy and contemporary relevance of ancient religious traditions in Northern Europe.

Sincerely,

Dr. Dalia Senvaitytė
Guest Editor

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• ancient religion
• Baltic religion
• Norse religion
• neo-paganism, modern paganism
• pagan revival
• cultural heritage
• cultural memory
• religious movements
• modern identity
• spiritual traditions, modern spirituality
• (re)constructions of historical traditions