Celebrations

The Cult of Anniversaries in Europe and the United States Today

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science, Anthropology, Sociology
Cover of the book Celebrations by William M. Johnston, Taylor and Francis
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: William M. Johnston ISBN: 9781351529686
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication: July 5, 2017
Imprint: Routledge Language: English
Author: William M. Johnston
ISBN: 9781351529686
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Publication: July 5, 2017
Imprint: Routledge
Language: English

In the twentieth century, celebrations of historical anniversaries abounded. There was the bicentennial of the French Revolution, the 150th anniversary of photography, Bach's 300th anniversary, and the 200th anniversary of the American Constitution, to name just a few. Every year hundreds of anniversaries still attract media attention and government investment in ever greater degrees. Deploying an astonishing array of insights, Celebrations explores the causes and consequences of this major phenomenon of our time. As Johnston shows, anniversaries fulfill a number of needs. They provide the kind of experience of regularity across a lifetime that the weekly cycle supplies in daily life. The use of anniversaries for political ends emerged during the French Revolution and expanded to promote nationalism during the nineteenth century, although there are differences in how they are used. Europeans tend to celebrate cultural heroes, while Americans tend to celebrate events. Entire nations exploit anniversaries of founding events in order to promote national identity. Commercially, there are whole industries built around commemoration, and they provide intellectuals an opportunity to take center stage. Using methods of cultural history, sociology, and religious studies, Johnston shows how the cult of anniversaries reflects postmodern concerns. It fills a void left by the disappearance of ideologies and avant-gardes. In an era when there is little consensus about styles or methods, anniversaries allow intellectuals, businesses, and governments to acknowledge and celebrate every nuance of opinion. By suggesting ways to use anniversaries more creatively, this book offers a broad range of insights.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

In the twentieth century, celebrations of historical anniversaries abounded. There was the bicentennial of the French Revolution, the 150th anniversary of photography, Bach's 300th anniversary, and the 200th anniversary of the American Constitution, to name just a few. Every year hundreds of anniversaries still attract media attention and government investment in ever greater degrees. Deploying an astonishing array of insights, Celebrations explores the causes and consequences of this major phenomenon of our time. As Johnston shows, anniversaries fulfill a number of needs. They provide the kind of experience of regularity across a lifetime that the weekly cycle supplies in daily life. The use of anniversaries for political ends emerged during the French Revolution and expanded to promote nationalism during the nineteenth century, although there are differences in how they are used. Europeans tend to celebrate cultural heroes, while Americans tend to celebrate events. Entire nations exploit anniversaries of founding events in order to promote national identity. Commercially, there are whole industries built around commemoration, and they provide intellectuals an opportunity to take center stage. Using methods of cultural history, sociology, and religious studies, Johnston shows how the cult of anniversaries reflects postmodern concerns. It fills a void left by the disappearance of ideologies and avant-gardes. In an era when there is little consensus about styles or methods, anniversaries allow intellectuals, businesses, and governments to acknowledge and celebrate every nuance of opinion. By suggesting ways to use anniversaries more creatively, this book offers a broad range of insights.

More books from Taylor and Francis

Cover of the book Sport, Culture and Ideology (RLE Sports Studies) by William M. Johnston
Cover of the book Casanova, Stendhal, Tolstoy: Adepts in Self-Portraiture by William M. Johnston
Cover of the book Managing in a Time of Great Change by William M. Johnston
Cover of the book Giorgio Agamben by William M. Johnston
Cover of the book Prisoners of Want: The Experience and Protest of the Unemployed in France, 1921�5 by William M. Johnston
Cover of the book Dark Horizons by William M. Johnston
Cover of the book Future City by William M. Johnston
Cover of the book Aging, Communication, and Health by William M. Johnston
Cover of the book Policing the Victorian Community by William M. Johnston
Cover of the book Research Methods for Environmental Studies by William M. Johnston
Cover of the book The Myth of Aunt Jemima by William M. Johnston
Cover of the book Women's Bodies, Women's Worries by William M. Johnston
Cover of the book Transforming World Politics by William M. Johnston
Cover of the book Astropolitik by William M. Johnston
Cover of the book Post-Soviet Civil Society by William M. Johnston
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy