Dark Tourism
Wednesday, November 29, 2017
These are sites developed for tourism and linked to death, assassination, incarceration, mass killing and tragedy. Yet 'dark tourism' is not a new phenomenon and similar sites have attracted human interest for many years.
From the gladiatorial combats of ancient Rome through to attendance at public executions in London of the 1600s, it seems that death and disaster have maintained a lasting appeal.
THE MARTYR VILLAGE OF ORADOUR-SUR-GLANE, MAIN STREET
The term has entered the mainstream and is a popular subject of media attention. It is used as a marketing term and the appeal of a range of global destinations as- sociated with dark acts shows no signs of abatement.
More recently the enduring appear has been reinforced in New York, Paric and beyond.
The Ground Zero site now attracts significant numbers of visitors since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. In Paris, the death site of Diana, Princess of Wales evidenced pilgrimage and visitation following her death and the site of her burial place – Althorpe – achieved signifficant visitation.
THE JFK ASSASSINATION TRAIL THE GROUNDS OF DEALEY PLAZA
In Africa, sites in Angola, South Africa, Sierra Leone, and Rwanda have all demonstrated the appeal of dark histories and tragic events to visitors. The range varies significantly from Holocaust sites to the manufactured experience operations which recreate tableaux and ‘historical’ experiences.
The motivation that impels expenditure in terms of travel, admission and other related costs compounds the proof of appeal.
MLEETA RESISTANCE TOURIST LANDMARK - LEBANON
The images in Tézenas' book are masterly, technically assured, probing, ironic, synonymous with our past and present. These pho tographs are about much more than tourism and the visiting of such sites, they challenge the nature of our behaviour, our history and our societies’ relationship with evil and mortality. They are a testament to our past, to our inability to move beyond it and our curious relationship with tragedy and death.
From the foreward by J. J. Lennon, Mof- fat Professor of Tourism - Glasgow Caledonian University. I Was Here - Photographs Of Dark Tourism, Ambroise Tézenas. £35.00 hardback.
Bloc Gatwick
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Bloc Magazine
Welcome to the 20th issue of Bloc magazine, with a host of intriguing features to get you through the dark winter months.
We are really excited to have acquired another new site, in the heart of Glasgow. We look forward to delivering Bloc to this extremely vibrant part of the city, directly opposite the recently redeveloped Queen Street Station.
The winter issue of our magazine visits Cape Town - dubbed The Mother City, or the Mother of South Africa. It has incredible food and wine offerings as well as mountains and beaches all within easy reach.
We also explore a destination much further afield, with the Von Braun space station and hotel moving closer to reality.
There are the usual features; Meeting the Bloc team, our favourite shows to stream and the pick of Bloc's social media.
Don't forget to sign up to Bloc's VIP Guest List, which makes you eligible for free room upgrades, free coffee and be the first to hear about our blockbuster VIP competitions.
We hope that this magazine provides you with some insight and entertainment on your journey.