Durmstrang

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 95800

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, squeakinby <squeakinby at t...> wrote:
> I apologize if this has been said 100+ times before but the discussion 
> of Durmstrang not being in Russia made me think of this.
> 
> I always thought it was German.  A wordplay on Sturm und Drang--storm 
> and stress.
> 
> Jem Blume

bboy_mn:

The Sturm und Drang (storm and stress) reference may be true, but the
book gives indications that Durmstrang is VERY far north with little
daylight in the winter, and indications that it is in a very isolated
area.

In a chat, JKR said indirectly that it was in Scandinavia, but I take
that to mean the general area of the world associtated with
Scandinavia and not Scandinavian by techincal definition.

Consequently...
http://bluemoonmarket.homestead.com/files/murmansk/pg1.htm

Others have pointed out that Durmstrang doesn't sound very Russian,
but you must also note that, Hogwarts doesn't sound very Scotish.
Hogwarts being in Scotland doesn't mean it was founded by Scots, and
we do know that to be true. It was founded by four very diverse founders. 

So, just because Durmstrang is (may be) found in Russia, that doesn't
mean it was founded by Russians. So, I conclude that the name doesn't
have to be Russian.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

bboy_mn