Beyond the 'Turnerian Tradition': Differing Interpretations of Pilgrimage and Tourism at Lourdes (original) (raw)
Related papers
Pilgrimage and tourism at Lourdes, France
Annals of Tourism Research, 1992
Despite the contribution of the "Turnerian tradition" to the analysis of the similarities between tourism and pilgrimage, developments withm the study of pilgrimage call for a critique that can reveal the complexity of pilgrimage and tourism. This study of a Roman Catholic shrine explores the various meanings and practices that underlie the categories of "pilgrim" and "tourist" in a locale where Turnerian communitas is strictly limited.
Pilgrimage is often seen as a physical journey to a sacred destination fixed by custom, destination-centred and broadly penitential in tone. The work of anthropologists in the last century broadened definitions to consider pilgrimage, across a range of faiths, in terms of a journey of transition and formation of identity. More recent historical scholarship has critiqued the longer development of our idea of pilgrimage, as well as its theological structures and markers. This diachronic approach to pilgrimage has also considered its origins with respect to early Christian conceptions of the life of the Christian in society and found resonances for patterns of lay pilgrimage in early monastic ideas. Such historical-theological dimension of research into pilgrimage provides a useful platform from which we can interrogate the idea of 'faith tourism' or 'pilgrimage tourism'. Many people of faith visit particular churches and holy sites to invoke their historic dimensions as well as to see what is presently on such sites. Visitors seek to re-enact historical narratives in the performance of certain pilgrimages and liturgies associated with them. Historical studies of theology thus may identify narratives that drive choices of action in pilgrimage. An historical reflection on pilgrimage may also be productive in widening definitions of pilgrimage for future development and may offer ideas for development of resources for the traveller.
On Distinction and Devotion. Shifting Boundaries Between Pilgrimage and Tourism
Groniek, 2018
Ever since the anthropological study of pilgrimage developed in earnest from the late 1970s or so, it has been in constant debate with research on tourism. In their classic study of Christian pilgrimage, anthropologists Victor and Edith Turner famously-if ambiguouslyclaimed that "a tourist is half a pilgrim, if a pilgrim is half a tourist." 1 Pilgrimage is also generally assumed to have historically preceded modern tourism. 2 Luigi Tomasi discusses how pilgrimage evolved in Europe as a response to societal transformations that changed not only human travel but also the ways in which the sacred was approached. 3 As travel became a demonstration of "freedom and independence, " pleasure and exploration became crucial parts of the experience, 4 while the development of tourism was fuelled by the emergence of "free time. " 5 Certainly, both sub-fields have taken considerable impetus from increased interest in mobilities and the self-conscious making and marking of place. 6 However, while pilgrimage is often represented as serious, solemn and expressive of pious religious devotion, tourism may be designated as "petty, hedonistic, " 7 "superficial and frivolous. " 8 Yet, such crude binaries tend to pose more questions than they answer: Should we see visitors' attitudes as predetermined, unaffected by their experiences at sites? Whose criteria of "seriousness" and pious devotion should be adopted? And exactly what are pilgrims assumed to be devoted to, in a manner that apparently excludes tourists? We argue for a more nuanced understanding of the tourism-pilgrimage relationship by exploring ways in which these categories are both dynamic Historisch Tijdschrift Groniek, 215-Devotie
Exploring Pilgrimage: Reflections of an Academic Traveller
This paper overlaps with another unpublished paper which I uploaded a few days ago. It combines both a discussion of pilgrimage studies, in general, and Lourdes, in particular. I draw on my first period of working at Lourdes, i.e. between 1968 and 1992, but I also add a section on the economic dimension of pilgrimage through a reflection on the career of a hotel owner, and a good friend who was also a central figure within the pilgrimage confraternity (the Hospitality of Our Lady of Lourdes). Religion and business can work together!
Contemporary Christian Travel: Pilgrimage, Practice and Place
Contemporary Christian Travel: Pilgrimage, Practice and Place, 2019
This book provides us with a comprehensive understanding of the arguments regarding religious tourism products and their growing consumer market. It touches upon the secular and the traditional aspects of religion in contemporary society – the believers and faithful on the one hand, and the experience seekers on the other. A well-structured book and a must-read for those interested in religious tourism. Carlos Fernandes, Polytechnic Institute of Viana do Castelo, Portugal ==================================================================== This book will become the new standard work on Christian travel, a significant element in modern day tourism. There is nothing in the current literature which matches the depth and detail of this volume. It is well-organised, raises many important questions, presents well-documented arguments from a sound theoretical base and includes informative graphics and an impressive and highly valuable bibliography. Richard Butler, Emeritus, University of Strathclyde, UK ==================================================================== This book is the first comprehensive study of the role of contemporary Christian travel and thus fills a huge gap in the literature. It enhances our understanding of the overall subject and offers an innovative look at the complex phenomenon of religious tourism. It reminds us of religion's centrality to our understanding of contemporary society and culture and is an essential addition to the bookshelves of researchers from various disciplines. Noga Collins-Kreiner, University of Haifa, Israel ======================================================================================================================================== The book has been reviewed in four academic journals: (1) Joshan Rodrigues, Church, Communication & Culture (2018) 3:3, 410-411. (2) Bailey Ashton Adie, Journal of Heritage Tourism (2019) 14:5-6, 583-584, DOI: 10.1080/1743873X.2019.1607151. (3) Shalini Singh, Tourism Recreation Research (2019) 44:2, 278-279, DOI: 10.1080/02508281.2019.1594575. (4) Nikola Naumov, Current Issues in Tourism (2019) DOI: 10.1080/13683500.2019.1637106
In defence of differentiating pilgrimage from tourism
International Journal of Tourism Anthropology, 2012
There has been a recent trend to conclude that it is impossible, or at least unproductive, to differentiate pilgrimage from tourism. We challenge this trend by arguing that pilgrimage can be defined and distinguished from tourism by examining how these words are used literally. We conclude that pilgrimage can be defined as a journey claimed to be undertaken for reasons involving religious sacrifice, and that applying the word pilgrimage to tourism is only an example of the use of metaphor. We describe the advantages of establishing a definition of pilgrimage, and explain how our definition may be improved upon through further testing.