Timeless Allure of Fairy Tales, Sweetness to Hidden Dark Heart.

Once upon a time, did your bedtime story slightly frighten you? They may well have done so, because long before books and screens, fairy tales lived in the air between storytellers and the glow of firelight; they were words of warning, tales of terror even. Born from folklore and myth, these anecdotes were far more than nighttime fables. Their history stretches back thousands of years, from oral traditions shared by travellers and villagers, and were dark warnings of forboding, made up in tales. In Europe, Charles Perrault’s Histoires ou contes du temps passé (1697) and the Brothers Grimm’s Kinder- und Hausmärchen (1812) preserved tales whispered through generations, turning them from murky moments to children’s stories. Other cultures also nurtured their own myths, from One Thousand and One Nights to African and Asian folk tales. Beneath their shimmering castles and enchanted forests lie echoes of fear, wonder, love, and loss. Today, the origins of fairy tales, their yin-yang duplicity, captivate audiences more than ever. Many still ask, What do fairy tales really mean? This fascination takes centre stage in two new UK exhibitions: Dark Secrets: The Esoteric Exhibition in London and The Shelter of Stories: Ways of Telling, Ways of Dwelling at Compton Verney. Find out more in Timeless allure of fairy tales, from sweetness to their hidden dark heart.

Fairytale Stories and Folklore History

Fairy tales did not begin as children’s stories; they were born from folklore, survival, and the human need to make sense of a mysterious and somewhat scary world. Before they were written down, they existed as living stories passed between generations, shaped by local landscapes, fears, and beliefs.

Folklore Meaning

These traditional beliefs, customs, and stories of a community were passed through the generations by word of mouth. Folklore gave birth to many of the folklore characters we now find familiar: witches who guarded the forest’s edge, shapeshifters lurking beneath moonlight, and spirits who tested the hearts of men. Each tale carried echoes of ancient customs, rituals, and moral codes, offering warnings against greed, pride, and betrayal, as well as lessons about kindness and courage in the face of darkness. Over time, as societies changed, these oral traditions evolved into the fairy tale traditions, aimed at children, as we recognise them today, softening their edges yet retaining the pulse of myth and mystery at their core.

Fairy Tales for Kids

We often remember fairy tales as gentle bedtime stories, kingdoms of kindness, brave princes, and shimmering crowns. Yet behind every “happily ever after” lies a shadow. The earliest versions of Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, or Little Red Riding Hood were far from innocent; they were cautionary tales born from fear, survival, and superstition. Long before Disney painted them in pastels, these dark fairy tales spoke of hunger, betrayal, and the wild power of nature; mirrors of the real struggles that shaped the people who told them.

European Countries

In European folklore, witches ruled forests, wolves whispered warnings, and bargains with spirits blurred the line between faith and fear. From the chilling pages of whispered legends of Slavic and Celtic mythology, the moral lessons were carved in darkness. Fairy tales were never just about love; they were about endurance. Even the version for young ones hinted through their sweetness at lessons.

Even now, their symbols remain timeless: the forbidden door, the mirror, the curse. They remind us that stories do not only comfort; they confront.

Roots of Magic: The Folklore Behind Fairy Tales.

Every fairy tale begins with “Once upon a time,” but its roots dig much deeper, into the soil of folklore and the supernatural. These are the stories that once explained what could not be seen: why storms came, why shadows moved, why fate seemed to have a will of its own. Folklore was our first science, our first psychology, a way to name the unknown.

In every culture, stories carried sacred power. From ancient European rituals to African myths and Asian legends, tales were told not just to entertain, but to protect, to warn, to remember. The spirits of rivers and forests, the whispering dead, and the witches of the wild all lived in these narratives, bridging human life and the invisible world beyond.

Today, when we revisit these stories through art and scholarship, we see how myth and magic have shaped our understanding of morality, identity, and belonging. And in 2025, two exhibitions, one delving into the mystical, the other into the emotional, invite us to walk those shadowed paths once again, where wonder and fear still intertwine.

Dark Secrets: Exploring the Occult, Folklore, and the Supernatural in London

Step beneath the streets of London, and you enter a world where shadows tell stories. Dark Secrets: The Esoteric Exhibition, opened at The Vaults, Waterloo, from October 11, 2025, transforms over 1,200 square meters into a labyrinth of mystery, ritual, and ancient belief. Here, the whispers of secret societies, the power of curses, and the allure of supernatural phenomena come alive across 27 immersive rooms.

 Above is the Official poster: Dark Secrets: The Esoteric Exhibition 

The launch image of the exhibition: a dark monk calling for silence, surrounded by smoke and the logo with the All-Seeing Eye. A visual reference to mystery and forbidden knowledge. 

Visitors encounter over 1,000 authentic artefacts, many never displayed before, from cursed dolls said to move on their own, to the ritual staff of famed occultist Aleister Crowley. Tibetan Kapalas, rare voodoo fetishes, and historical manuscripts like the infamous Malleus Maleficarum reveal the darker dimensions of human imagination, where superstition, magic, and fear intertwine.

Far from sensationalism, the exhibition blends history, anthropology, and scenography to explore the hidden truths behind rituals, symbols, and legends. It is a journey through the crossroads of folklore and the paranormal, inviting audiences to confront the enduring fascination humans have with the unknown.

Highlights include the largest collection of cursed dolls ever displayed in Europe, Rare ritual objects and manuscripts tracing centuries of occult practice, Vampire-hunting kits, shrunken heads, and artefacts that blur the line between legend and reality.

Dark Secrets demonstrates that the human imagination has always been drawn to what lies beyond the ordinary, a reminder of the thrill, danger, and curiosity that gave birth to fairy tales themselves.

The Shelter of Stories at Compton Verney

While Dark Secrets invites us into the shadowed corners of human imagination, The Shelter of Stories: Ways of Telling, Ways of Dwelling at Compton Verney explores the light, warmth, and connection that storytelling can offer. Opening on October 25, 2025, this exhibition celebrates the profound role stories play in shaping belonging, healing, and understanding across cultures.

Secrets and Stories_1989 © Paula Rego Estate & Ostrich Arts Ltd. Courtesy Ostrich Arts Ltd and Cristea Roberts Gallery

Co-curated by acclaimed writer Marina Warner and designed by Simon Costin, the exhibition presents over 100 works spanning centuries, from historic puppets, masks, and folk artefacts to contemporary masterpieces by Paula Rego, Yinka Shonibare, Kiki Smith, and Hew Locke.

Zak Ové, Stella by Starlight, 2015. Artwork courtesy of the David and Indrė Roberts Collection © Zak Ové. Image courtesy of the artist. (1)

Through these pieces, storytelling emerges as a refuge: a sanctuary where myths, fables, and visual art help us face fear, learn from nature, and pass on wisdom to future generations.

Jonathan Baldock, PA UBU Installation shot at The College of Wooster Art Museum. Photographer Petr Wiese

“The ingenuity and variety of storytellers’ methods have made this show a total joy and adventure to research and select. Compton Verney, with its collection of paintings and folklore, and its swans on the lake, makes a perfect setting for a show about the commons of wonder.”

Marina Warner

Unknown maker, Swan Public House Sign, 1700-1750. Photography by Jamie Woodley (c) Compton Verney and Jamie Woodley

Visitors encounter miniature glowing sanctuaries, embroidered tales from Lebanon, and puppets that carry centuries of oral tradition. Here, stories are not just objects of wonder; they are vessels of empathy, bridging the past with the present, the local with the global, and reminding us that narrative itself can be a home.

Saad Qureshi – A Handful of Paradise – 2024 – Photography Hugh Pryor.

.Cent has an exclusive interview with leading curator, art director, and designer Simon Costin, Director of the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic, Boscastle, and the Museum of British Folklore, who designed the critically acclaimed Making Mischief exhibition at Compton Verney in 2023. Simon is also a former Guest Editor at. Cent, is part of the family.

• Where did your interest in fairytale and folklore come from?

When I was seven years old, I was taken to the town of Padstow in Cornwall, whilst on holiday with my parents. It must’ve been the morning, and we turned a corner, and I was confronted by an amazing sight. The Padstow Mayday procession was in full swing, and careering down the road was one of the slightly ominous Osses. This horse figure takes the form of a huge disc traditionally covered with black tar cloth, and the carrier wears a tall conical mask with black, white, and red paint. I was totally entranced by the sight of all this, and a few years later, in 1973, my parents bought me the Reader’s Digest book, the Folklore Myths and Legends of Britain. This became my Bible for many years (although it is riddled with mistakes!) I would say that my love of folklore stems from that pivotal moment in Padstow.

• When and how did you first get into folklore and fairytales?

My parents were keen readers, and so we were always having fairy tales read to us as children. Many years later, while at art school, I found a copy of Bruno Bettelheim’s The Uses of Enchantment: The Meaning and Importance of Fairy Tales in the library. It’s a wonderful book where he argues that fairy tales are far more than children’s entertainment; they are essential tools for emotional and psychological development. Bettelheim interprets fairy tales as symbolic expressions of universal childhood conflicts, such as fear, jealousy, and the struggle for independence. He defends the original, often dark versions of these stories, claiming that confronting danger and moral complexity through fantasy helps children process emotions safely and develop resilience. By identifying with characters and navigating their challenges, children learn about courage, morality, and self-understanding. It has always influenced a lot of my work, and I often refer to it.

•  How long did it take to develop the design concept from initial idea to final installation?

Working alongside Marina Warner and Oli McCall, who had been pulling together the huge number of artworks and objects for some time before I came on board, I took note of the ideas behind the exhibition, those of migration and the movement of peoples. The initial designs were far more elaborate, but then they usually are to start with, and then they go through a process of refinement. Overall, I worked on the project for a year, and the one thing that was retained was the notion of shadow. By carefully designing the interplay of light and shadow, you can highlight textures, create mood, and reinforce the narrative or emotional tone of the exhibition. Each of the spaces has a series of papercuts, placed to create shadows on the walls, each of which picks up on the themes of each space.

• What is the most important feeling these images and stories bring to you?

I suppose the most important feeling that The Shelter of Stories exhibition brings to me is empathy, a deep emotional connection to the lives, memories, and resilience of others. The exhibition reminds me that storytelling is a kind of shelter, itself a place where we can find connection, dignity, and strength through the experiences of others.

• What stories for this do you feel you want people to walk away with?

Apart from being able to view some stunning artworks and objects, I hope that people are encouraged to look into Marina’s Stories in Transit project, which is an important cultural and humanitarian initiative that explores how storytelling can foster understanding, resilience, and connection across borders. It was launched in response to the global migration crisis, and the project brings together artists, writers, refugees, and local communities to share and create stories that transcend language and cultural barriers. By emphasising the power of narrative as a tool for expression and belonging, Stories in Transit highlights how storytelling can preserve identity, promote empathy, and challenge dominant narratives about displacement and exile. The project demonstrates that stories are not only a means of survival in times of upheaval but also a vital form of creative resistance and collective imagination.

Jupiter Artland Opens Its Gates All Year: A Magical New Season of Art, Myth, and Imagination

For the first time in its history, Jupiter Artland will remain open throughout the winter, transforming its grounds into a year-round destination for art and nature lovers. From November 2025 to February 2026, the award-winning sculpture park will host a vibrant season of exhibitions, performances, and workshops celebrating the cycles of autumn and winter, a fitting extension of Jupiter’s commitment to art inspired by the land.

To mark this new era, three major exhibitions will open on Saturday, 11 October 2025, featuring works by Tai Shani, Georg Wilson, and Florence Peake, each exploring mythology, love, folklore, and the connection between humans and the natural world. A special press view (2–4 pm) and evening private view (5–7 pm) will offer an early glimpse of the season, complete with seasonal drinks and nibbles.

Exhibition 1. The Earth Exhales by Georg Wilson

In the Jupiter Ballroom, Georg Wilson presents her most ambitious exhibition to date, filled with new wall-based works that blur the line between urban and rural life. Her vibrant pieces brim with mythical creatures, pastoral dreams, and a touch of magic, reimagining the fetishisation of the countryside through a contemporary lens.

Eva Herzog

Exhibition 2. To Love and To Cherish by Florence Peake

Meanwhile, Florence Peake’s new work, To Love and to Cherish, transforms the Glasshouse Jupiter’s latest wedding venue into a living canvas. Created through the passionate movements of dancers, the floor painting captures the physical imprint of love and connection, invoking Aphrodite’s untamed spirit. Both a performance and a painting, it redefines traditional ideas of marriage and devotion, merging art, ritual, and celebration.

Neil Hanna

Exhibition 3. The Spell or The Dream by Tai Shani

Out in Jupiter’s orchard, Tai Shani’s monumental new installation, The Spell or The Dream, offers a meditative space for reflection and renewal. The luminous blue sculpture rests on a stepped plinth among apple and plum trees, inviting visitors to gather, dream, and listen to an ethereal soundscape by Maxwell Sterling. Commissioned by Somerset House Studios and supported by the Art Fund, Shani’s work speaks to the fragility of the present moment, a dreamer suspended between catastrophe and hope.

David Parry

Together, these exhibitions celebrate the themes of transformation, myth, and the cycles of life, echoing the changing landscape of Jupiter Artland itself. As the park embarks on its first-ever year-round opening, it invites visitors to experience art not only in bloom, but also in the quiet, reflective beauty of the colder months, where stories, like seasons, never truly end.

Why Fairy Tales Still Matter?

From the shadowed corridors of Dark Secrets to the luminous halls of The Shelter of Stories, 2025 offers a rare chance to explore the full spectrum of human imagination. Fairy tales and folklore are not just relics of childhood; they are living reflections of our deepest fears, desires, and values. They whisper of witches and spirits, of cursed objects and haunted forests, yet also offer warmth, hope, and sanctuary through shared storytelling.

These exhibitions reveal that stories are both mirrors and maps charting the darker territories of superstition, mortality, and the unknown, while illuminating how we connect, empathise, and belong. Through eerie artefacts of occult history and tender, imaginative works of art, we are reminded that stories do more than entertain; they help us understand ourselves and each other.

In 2025, London and Compton Verney invite us to step into these worlds to confront the shadows, embrace the light, and rediscover storytelling as our oldest refuge, our moral compass, and our most enduring home.

Find out more about The Shelter of Stories: Ways of Telling, Ways of Dwelling, and Dark Secrets: Esoteric Exhibition London

If you enjoyed reading Timeless Allure of Fairy Tales: sweet to the Dark Heart. Then why not read London Through The Beautiful Lens of Design LDF25

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