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    Published: 2018-12-16
    Vol. 70 (2018)

    Historical reenactment as a new form of contemporary people's attitudes towards the past

    Michał Pawleta
    Sprawozdania Archeologiczne
    Section: Articles
    DOI https://doi.org/10.23858/SA70.2018.001

    Abstract

    This paper looks at the phenomenon of historical re-enactment from the perspective of contemporaneity (postmodernity or late modernity sensu Bauman 1996; 2000 and Giddens 2002). The changes in the contemporary people’s attitude to the past provide a context for analysis. I propose to explore historical re-enactment using selected descriptive categories of post-modernity: (1) as an expression of the search for community and the construction of identity; (2) as an expression of the change in people‘s attitude towards the past, including, (a) the democratisation of the past; (b) a strive for personal and sensual contact with the past, (c) the commercialisation of the past; (3) as a phenomenon suspended between the search for authenticity and existence in the world of simulacra; (4) as a formula of modern education about the past; (5) as a hobby/play; (6) as a formula of the new spirituality. In the conclusions, In conclusions I argue that historical re-enactment is a characteristic element of contemporary historical culture.

    Keywords:

    historical reenactment, the postmodern attitude to the past, alternative histories, sensuous contact with the past, commercialization of the past

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    Citation rules

    Pawleta , M. (2018). Historical reenactment as a new form of contemporary people’s attitudes towards the past . Sprawozdania Archeologiczne, 70, 9–29. https://doi.org/10.23858/SA70.2018.001

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