This August, I had the wonderful opportunity to attend Saga Conference 2025, hosted by the University of Silesia in Katowice, Poland (3rd–8th August). The week was filled with fascinating scholarship, inspiring conversations, and a warm sense of community among Old Norse scholars from around the world.
Before the conference began, I treated myself to a week’s holiday in Kraków and Zakopane. Poland proved to be a perfect setting for both relaxation and exploration: hiking in the Tatra mountains, wandering the historic streets of Kraków, and even descending into the extraordinary Salt Mines. I fell in love with the country’s landscapes, history, and atmosphere before I even set foot in the conference halls. Upon arriving in Katowice two days before the conference, I enjoyed visiting the local museums. I was also entertained by sitting in the sun with my friend and watching the 3 x 3 basketball matches held in the square of Katowice’s cultural centre.
The conference itself was brilliantly organised, with invaluable support from the student volunteers at the University of Silesia. Every day brought lively discussions, new encounters, and engaging keynotes. I managed to attend all of the keynotes (no small feat!), and highlights for me included Ármann Jakobsson’s entertaining lecture on wolves and mythology—delivered during our Kraków excursion day—and Rebecca Merkelbach’s deeply moving talk that closed the week.
My own paper, “Consumed creatures and hidden humans: animal-human hybridisation in Saga af Hrólf Konungi Kraka,” was met with enthusiasm and sparked some thoughtful conversations. Presenting in this environment—where everyone shared a passion for Old Norse studies—was both energising and encouraging.
Beyond the academic programme, the conference offered plenty of opportunities to reconnect with friends and colleagues. The very first evening began with a NECRON (Network of Early Career Researchers in Old Norse) meeting and social, setting a welcoming tone. From there, the week was punctuated by sunny gatherings on the terrace of the humanities building, dinners, and trips to local bars. One of my favourite memories was exploring Kraków for a second time. My friend became an impromptu tour guide to a small group of us who were excited to see more of Kraków. She led us through the Jewish quarter, an art gallery, the market hall and even all the way up the tower and then all the way down into the museum beneath the town square—sites I had missed on my first visit.
The combination of excellent scholarship, good company, and a vibrant setting made Saga Conference 2025 a truly memorable experience. Even as a vegetarian, I had no trouble enjoying Polish food (I may have eaten my body weight in pierogi!). More than anything, though, I came away with a renewed excitement for the field of Old Norse studies and the sense of community it fosters.
I would love to return to Poland soon, and I look forward to staying engaged in the academic community in my new role as a council member of the Viking Society for Northern Research. As September lurks behind the next sunset, I can’t wait to see what joys the new academic year shall bring.
Bodies and Being 