Art history, folklore, ghost stories and the Gothic have taken Mark Rees from television studios and university lecture halls to theatres, festivals and cruise ships around the world.
He is an author, journalist and cultural historian whose work explores the Gothic imagination, European visual culture and Welsh folklore. He appears regularly on radio, television, podcasts and live events, and gives talks on subjects ranging from Van Gogh and Victorian art to ghost stories, the uncanny and the history of Halloween.
Media & Broadcasting
From live radio interviews and television appearances to documentaries and podcasts, Mark regularly contributes to discussions on history, folklore, the arts and the Gothic.
His broadcast credits include BBC, ITV Wales and S4C, alongside numerous podcasts, documentaries and specialist productions. Drawing on more than twenty years of experience in journalism, he combines research-led insight with clear, accessible storytelling for general audiences.
Documentary Work
Mark is co-presenter of Paranormal Unpacked, a documentary series created with Steve Balsamo and Ant Jones exploring some of Britain’s most intriguing mysteries, hauntings and unexplained events.
Blending historical research, field investigation and documentary storytelling, the series has attracted audiences around the world, with its first feature-length documentary, the Rhondda Street Poltergeist, reaching more than 100,000 views in its first month online.
Other documentary work has included commissions for major broadcasters focused primarily on Halloween and Christmas traditions.
Got an idea for a great documentary? Enquiries for via the contact page.
Talks & Lectures
Mark regularly gives talks and lectures at festivals, museums, universities, libraries, theatres, cruise ships and on cultural tours in the UK and abroad.
His subjects range from European art and architecture to folklore, ghost stories and the history of Halloween.
Recent talks include:
- The History of Halloween: Origins and Myths
Exploring the eerie origins of Halloween — does it really stem from ancient pagan festivals, or is its history far more complicated? - The Gothic Imagination in Art & Culture
From Dickens to Dracula, Fuseli to Friedrich, discover how Gothic themes shaped literature, painting and architecture across nineteenth-century Europe. - Rembrandt & Van Gogh: Masters of Light & Colour
How two of the Netherlands’ greatest artists transformed the history of painting. - Castles and Châteaux of France
Explore France’s Atlantic coast through its remarkable architecture. Discover how medieval, Renaissance and classical styles shaped towns and estates. - Ghosts & Folklore of Wales
Inspired by Mark’s books and podcast, this talk uncovers chilling true tales, local legends and historical mysteries from Wales’s haunted past. - Curious Christmas: The Darker Side of Festive Folklore
From the Mari Lwyd to Victorian ghost stories, discover the strange traditions hidden behind the festive season.
Cruise Ship Lectures
In January 2026, Mark began speaking at sea as a guest lecturer on international cruise ships.
He now speaks regularly on subjects including art history, architecture, cultural heritage and European travel.
Recent voyages have taken him across Europe and beyond, combining cultural exploration with lectures on art, history and place.
Looking for an experienced cruise ship speaker? Enquiries via the contact page.
Writing & Journalism
Before becoming an author, Mark spent more than two decades working in journalism, including roles as Arts Editor for several leading Welsh newspapers and magazines.
He continues to write features, interviews and reviews covering history, heritage, visual culture, theatre, literature and folklore. His work appears in newspapers, magazines and cultural publications in Wales and beyond.
Enquiries
For media appearances, interviews, speaking engagements, festival bookings, cruise lectures or freelance commissions, please get in touch.