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How Alicudi's islanders experienced mass hallucinations

In Alicudi, the wildest and most isolated island in the Aeolian volcanic archipelago, the islanders are said to have been witnesses to extraordinary visions.

Were these locals seeing witches, or could this be explained by collective hallucinogenic episodes?

Video Journalist: Davide Pompejano

23 February 2022

Myths and Legends

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The 80-year-old mystery of the skeleton found in a wych elm

Myths and Legends

A new generation of treasure hunters

A new generation of treasure hunters

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Huldufólk: Iceland's mythical world of hidden people

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The surprising story of a 16th Century rhino called Ganda

Myths and Legends

The surprising origins of the modern conspiracy theory

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Was Thor really an all-conquering hero?

Was Thor really an all-conquering hero?

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The truth behind the legend of the 'sword in the stone'

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The goddess who ‘changed the course’ of Rome’s history

The goddess who 'changed the course' of Roman history

Myths and Legends

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Why we are still living in an Old Norse Saga

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Polybius: The most dangerous arcade game ever made?

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The ‘exceptionally rare’ text outlawed by an Ethiopian king

The ‘exceptionally rare’ text outlawed by an Ethiopian king

Myths and Legends

The alchemist believed to have found the key to immortality

Myths and Legends

How Pamela Anderson was discovered

How Pamela Anderson was discovered

Her career took off after being spotted in the crowd by a cameraman at a football game.

Demand for AI 'very visible and strong'

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The year ahead will see 'more evened out returns across the equity market', according to Jan Van Eck of VanEck.

Chalamet and Norton on A Complete Unknown

Timothée Chalamet and Edward Norton on A Complete Unknown

The Hollywood stars on playing Bob Dylan and Pete Seeger and how director James Mangold trusted them.

How the proposed and then shelved TikTok ban affected US influencers

How the TikTok ban affected US influencers

BBC Click meets TikTok creator Peggy Xu who gained millions of views sharing milk videos.

The art of self transformation

How to change your personality traits with intention

Our personality is not fixed and we have the power to change how we think and behave.

Sharon Stone: 'I was punished for my sexuality'

Sharon Stone: 'I was punished for my sexuality'

The Hollywood star tells the BBC how she used her fame as a sex symbol to raise money for humanitarian causes.

100 Women Extra

A 'clinic in a box' that can check whether you're healthy

A 'clinic in a box' that can check whether you're healthy

The 'clinic' in a box' is a remote doctor's appointment that can take place anywhere.

Cows might have their own language

Bovine language: Studying how cows talk to each other

Leonie Cornips, a sociolinguist at the Meertens Institute in Amsterdam, turns her attention from humans to cows.

"If you're nominated, you've already won"

'If you're nominated, you've already won'

Nine-time Oscar nominee Robert De Niro offers his words of wisdom to first-time nominee Mikey Madison.

The curious history of animal diplomacy

The 2,000-year-old history of animal gift giving

Before panda diplomacy, there was elephant diplomacy. We spoke to a foreign affairs expert to find out more.

World of wonder

$Hew Locke on why art is important in a fractious world$

Hew Locke on why art is important in a fractious world

The renowned British sculptor challenges viewers to pause, reflect, and question his art.

Bosnia's 'war secret' that stopped Sarajevo from falling

Bosnia's 'war secret' that stopped Sarajevo from falling

BBC Travel presenter Rajan Datar explores a secret tunnel that protected citizens during the siege of Sarajevo.

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Nothing brings more freedom than filmmaking, Jia Zhang-Ke

Nothing brings more freedom than filmmaking, Jia Zhang-Ke

Renowned Chinese filmmaker Jia Zhang-Ke reflects on how he sees cinema as a space for freedom and rebellion.

How Anthony Mackie found out he was Captain America

How Anthony Mackie found out he was Captain America

The actor describes the moment Chris Evans revealed to him that he would be the next super hero.

Markets digest week of mounting tariffs

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Expert says it's difficult for investors to discern what the best course of action is.

The surprisingly sour Victorian Valentine's Day craze

The insulting 'Vinegar Valentine' of Victorian England

Valentine’s Day is thought to celebrate romance but rude cards soured the holiday for its recipients.

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US wholesale inflation rose more than expected in January, adding to inflation concerns.

Inside Usonia: A 1944 utopian town in the United States

Inside Usonia: A 1940s utopian town in the United States

100-year-old Roland Reisley is the last original member of Usonia, a small visionary community in the woods.

Tracey Emin: 'Making art about rape and sex is important'

Tracey Emin: 'Making art about rape and sex is important'

Tracey Emin, once the British art world's 'enfant terrible', talks art and life with the BBC.

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US Fed 'unlikely to cut rates in short term' - 12 Feb 2025

US Fed 'unlikely to cut rates in short term' - 12 Feb 2025

Carol Schleif, Chief Strategist at BMO Private Wealth, says it's unlikely the Fed will cut interest rates soon.