20th April is the death anniversary of Bram Stoker. On this date Starr and I were graced with the honour of ‘An Interview With a Vampire’. The ‘interview’ started with Vlad reading a few lines from Mr Stokers’ famous novel Dracula. (Video at the bottom of the post).
The ‘Vampire’ is local Vampyre Vlad Dracul-lll (Dracula) who emerged from his ‘Forgotten Crypt’ and stepped out of the shadows for the interview and photoshoot close to Whitby Abbey. As an ancient one, Vlad like Blade is a day walker, but still mindful of avoiding the ravages of the ultraviolet rays from the orb of fire in the sky.
He makes regular appearances on the cobbled streets of Whitby, sometimes in person, often as mist. From his Facebook page – Vlad Dracul III – Dracula:
‘I currently reside in my Forgotten Crypt beneath Whitby Abbey after travelling from my birthplace in Transylvania to Whitby in 1890. Day walking (with sunblock) and engaging in conversation with townsfolk is my pleasure. I offer my protection to all.’
An ancient Vampyre must keep up with these modern 21st century times, so social media is a must. Jonathan Harker (from the book of Dracula) once said:
‘…unless my senses deceive me, the old centuries had, and have, powers of their own which mere ‘modernity’ cannot kill.’
Vlad has a faithful assistant who is competent in ‘modernity’, and has given Vlad a presence on
‘The Book of Face. My assistant handles all my technological requirements.’
Vlad offered his ‘protection to all’ as he graciously let me capture images of him in his adopted homeland. The gothic and iconic ruins of Whitby Abbey inspired Bram Stoker’s descriptive writing as Dracula in dog form, ascended the 199 steps to St Mary’s Churchyard.
Retracing ancestral steps, Vlad led the way up the famous stone steps in human form. It seems wherever he goes, Vlad receives requests for photos from people (most modern cameras and phones now have Vampyre capturing lenses). His dramatic appearance brings people to him in both awe and curiosity. He always has time for people. Vlad is softly spoken and his Eastern European accent with his articulated gothic language draws people into conversation. Eloquent dialect, polite manners and his friendly persona have given Vlad a large following on his ‘Book of Face’. He is often found quoting his nemesis, Abraham Van Helsing; ‘I want you to believe…to believe in things that you cannot.’
Images of a Vampire at Whitby Abbey
Whitby Abbey was the perfect backdrop to get some shots of Vlad as he strolled around the ruins, stopping to chat to visitors. It was a sunny day which isn’t the best time to capture images of a Vampyre. I would love to capture images of an evening when bats come out; Halloween butterflies; winged ‘children of the night’.
Walking through the gift shop Vlad spotted a promotional print for the first Dracula film with Bela Lugosi. In his captivating accent Vlad said he is a fan of Bauhaus’ track ‘Bela Lugosi’s Dead’, but it also makes him sad. He said:
‘It darkens my heart, to hear of the death of a fellow Vampyre of the House of Lugosi’.
Outside Whitby Abbey was local ‘I scream’ seller Neil Trillo. Vlad posed with Starr’s frozen treat as Vlad informed us:
‘I do supply Mr Trillo regularly with ’crimson elixir’ for his ice creams’.
As Bram Stoker wrote:
‘The blood is the life’
Friends of ours own Whitby’s newest bar, The Whitby Crown (on Church Street). This now gothic and welcoming bar, with so much attention to detail, was once the old Post Office, and it is speculated that Bram Stoker posted a letter to his agent in London from here about his idea for ‘Dracula’ (through research at the Whitby Library, now Quayside Fish and Chips Restaurant).
As the Whitby Crown wasn’t open to the public at the time of the photoshoot, we were invited to visit. Vlad entered (the invitation to cross the threshold was accepted) and was elated to see a blood bag hanging from the bar, but somewhat discombobulated after coming face to face with a church cross inside the bar.
Vlad has now become an invited guest to many events and gatherings in Whitby. If you visit Whitby, you might be lucky and bump into him (as he describes it) ‘betwixt the shadows and cobbles’, close to one of Whitby’s many old yards or within the many wonderful local establishments with which he has been extended an invitation. He spends his time between his residences in Brasov in Romania, his subterranean retreat within the Yorkshire Wolds and ‘Wonderful Whitby’.
Do not be fearful, be respectful and approach. His passion is engaging in conversation with all and sharing the occasional ‘crimson beverage’. His mission: to bring people together, to unite, promote inclusion without judgement and to allow people’s confidence and joy to flourish. He offers ‘protection to all’ and a fang flashing smile awaits you. Vlad wishes we convey this message from him to you all:
‘Welcome to my house! Enter freely.
Go safely and leave something of the happiness you bring!’
‘Fang’ you Vlad for your time Sir, it was indeed an honour to meet and photograph you.
‘Your friend D’ (D I), Dark Devotion Images