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(Dark) Tourism and Emotions in Places of Turmoil | Dorina-Maria Buda | TEDxUniversityofGroningen


[Applause]

[Applause] good evening everyone today I will take

good evening everyone today I will take

good evening everyone today I will take you on a journey to visit some places of

you on a journey to visit some places of

you on a journey to visit some places of social and political turmoil and

social and political turmoil and

social and political turmoil and conflict I grew up in communist Romania

conflict I grew up in communist Romania

conflict I grew up in communist Romania of the 1980s in a small Transylvanian

of the 1980s in a small Transylvanian

of the 1980s in a small Transylvanian town at the border with Hungary and at

town at the border with Hungary and at

town at the border with Hungary and at the time the Soviet Union during those

the time the Soviet Union during those

the time the Soviet Union during those times food was scarce food was portioned

times food was scarce food was portioned

times food was scarce food was portioned in ratios per family communication with

in ratios per family communication with

in ratios per family communication with the world outside Romania was severely

the world outside Romania was severely

the world outside Romania was severely limited and controlled international

limited and controlled international

limited and controlled international travel and tourism into Romania was

travel and tourism into Romania was

travel and tourism into Romania was equally severely limited and heavily

equally severely limited and heavily

equally severely limited and heavily surveilled it was also prohibited for

surveilled it was also prohibited for

surveilled it was also prohibited for Romanians to travel abroad now here on

Romanians to travel abroad now here on

Romanians to travel abroad now here on the slide you can see a picture of my

the slide you can see a picture of my

the slide you can see a picture of my father as a border patrol military

father as a border patrol military

father as a border patrol military officer during those times both of my

officer during those times both of my

officer during those times both of my parents were working for the border

parents were working for the border

parents were working for the border patrol so for me growing up in these

patrol so for me growing up in these

patrol so for me growing up in these times of turmoil unrest and revolutions

times of turmoil unrest and revolutions

times of turmoil unrest and revolutions such as the 1989 revolution in Romania

such as the 1989 revolution in Romania

such as the 1989 revolution in Romania living in a border town with parents

living in a border town with parents

living in a border town with parents patrolling the border fueled my dreams

patrolling the border fueled my dreams

patrolling the border fueled my dreams and desires to break free of the

and desires to break free of the

and desires to break free of the confines of Romanian communist borders

confines of Romanian communist borders

confines of Romanian communist borders so

in psychoanalytic theories

in psychoanalytic theories it is said broadly speaking that we

it is said broadly speaking that we

it is said broadly speaking that we desire what we do not have we desire

desire what we do not have we desire

desire what we do not have we desire what we lack

what we lack

what we lack but this core desire does not pursue its

but this core desire does not pursue its

but this core desire does not pursue its own satisfaction of having what we lack

own satisfaction of having what we lack

own satisfaction of having what we lack this core desire pursues its own

this core desire pursues its own

this core desire pursues its own furtherance its own continuation that is

furtherance its own continuation that is

furtherance its own continuation that is more desire greater desire so my desires

more desire greater desire so my desires

more desire greater desire so my desires have led me to work live and study in

have led me to work live and study in

have led me to work live and study in about eight countries on four continents

about eight countries on four continents

about eight countries on four continents since 2001 I have become a social

since 2001 I have become a social

since 2001 I have become a social sciences researcher with keen interests

sciences researcher with keen interests

sciences researcher with keen interests in travel and tourism in dark tourism in

in travel and tourism in dark tourism in

in travel and tourism in dark tourism in social and political conflicts in

social and political conflicts in

social and political conflicts in emotions and effects now from all these

emotions and effects now from all these

emotions and effects now from all these concepts that I have just enumerated

concepts that I have just enumerated

concepts that I have just enumerated dark tourism almost always acts as a

dark tourism almost always acts as a

dark tourism almost always acts as a hook for most audiences now please put

hook for most audiences now please put

hook for most audiences now please put your hand up if you have ever heard the

your hand up if you have ever heard the

your hand up if you have ever heard the term dark tourism or if you have engaged

term dark tourism or if you have engaged

term dark tourism or if you have engaged in dark tourism perhaps perhaps you

in dark tourism perhaps perhaps you

in dark tourism perhaps perhaps you visited places such as the former

visited places such as the former

visited places such as the former transit camp investor board here in the

transit camp investor board here in the

transit camp investor board here in the province of drain day than the

province of drain day than the

province of drain day than the Netherlands and you can see on the slide

Netherlands and you can see on the slide

Netherlands and you can see on the slide a picture of the wagon in Westerbork or

a picture of the wagon in Westerbork or

a picture of the wagon in Westerbork or perhaps you visited more known places

perhaps you visited more known places

perhaps you visited more known places such as Ground Zero in New York or

such as Ground Zero in New York or

such as Ground Zero in New York or perhaps you visited tombs or graveyards

perhaps you visited tombs or graveyards

perhaps you visited tombs or graveyards of famous people and you can see here a

of famous people and you can see here a

of famous people and you can see here a tourist visiting the tomb of Yasser

tourist visiting the tomb of Yasser

tourist visiting the tomb of Yasser Arafat in Ramallah so have you heard of

Arafat in Ramallah so have you heard of

Arafat in Ramallah so have you heard of dark tourism how many of you have you

dark tourism how many of you have you

dark tourism how many of you have you heard of dark tourism or engaged in dark

heard of dark tourism or engaged in dark

heard of dark tourism or engaged in dark tourism

tourism

tourism quite a lot of hands up all right now

quite a lot of hands up all right now

quite a lot of hands up all right now what is dark tourism the term was

what is dark tourism the term was

what is dark tourism the term was introduced in the late 1990s by two

introduced in the late 1990s by two

introduced in the late 1990s by two British researchers John Lennon and not

British researchers John Lennon and not

British researchers John Lennon and not the famous death singer but the British

the famous death singer but the British

the famous death singer but the British tourism researcher John Lennon and

tourism researcher John Lennon and

tourism researcher John Lennon and Malcolm Foley they define dark tourism

Malcolm Foley they define dark tourism

Malcolm Foley they define dark tourism as visitation of places connected to

as visitation of places connected to

as visitation of places connected to death disaster and atrocity for mass

death disaster and atrocity for mass

death disaster and atrocity for mass media dark tourism has become an

media dark tourism has become an

media dark tourism has become an incredible buzzword to get people

incredible buzzword to get people

incredible buzzword to get people interested in news about disasters and

interested in news about disasters and

interested in news about disasters and atrocities and here on the slide you can

atrocities and here on the slide you can

atrocities and here on the slide you can see a collage of such news items we

see a collage of such news items we

see a collage of such news items we don’t ISM researchers have been

don’t ISM researchers have been

don’t ISM researchers have been exploring this phenomenon for the last

exploring this phenomenon for the last

exploring this phenomenon for the last three decades to understand how it

three decades to understand how it

three decades to understand how it really works one of the angles that I

really works one of the angles that I

really works one of the angles that I use to explore dark tourism in

use to explore dark tourism in

use to explore dark tourism in particular but also the wider phenomenon

particular but also the wider phenomenon

particular but also the wider phenomenon of travel tourism and mobility is via

of travel tourism and mobility is via

of travel tourism and mobility is via emotions and effects emotions I consider

emotions and effects emotions I consider

emotions and effects emotions I consider are those states that can easily be

are those states that can easily be

are those states that can easily be labelled as fun fear or joy amazement

labelled as fun fear or joy amazement

labelled as fun fear or joy amazement and the like

and the like

and the like whereas effects cannot easily be labeled

whereas effects cannot easily be labeled

whereas effects cannot easily be labeled cannot easily be brought to the surface

cannot easily be brought to the surface

cannot easily be brought to the surface of representation to the surface of our

of representation to the surface of our

of representation to the surface of our consciousness and awareness effects are

consciousness and awareness effects are

consciousness and awareness effects are like those drives residing at other than

like those drives residing at other than

like those drives residing at other than conscious levels inside of us moving

conscious levels inside of us moving

conscious levels inside of us moving inside of us and making us move outwards

inside of us and making us move outwards

inside of us and making us move outwards as well so tourism in most its forms and

as well so tourism in most its forms and

as well so tourism in most its forms and niches is about emotions and effects

niches is about emotions and effects

niches is about emotions and effects something that sounds so simple and

something that sounds so simple and

something that sounds so simple and common-sense right

common-sense right

common-sense right yet as tourism researchers we are just

yet as tourism researchers we are just

yet as tourism researchers we are just beginning to confidently vocalize this

beginning to confidently vocalize this

beginning to confidently vocalize this and to explore this aspect in more depth

and to explore this aspect in more depth

and to explore this aspect in more depth beyond tourism emotion as tourist

beyond tourism emotion as tourist

beyond tourism emotion as tourist satisfaction that encourages repeat

satisfaction that encourages repeat

satisfaction that encourages repeat visits so to reflect this idea that

visits so to reflect this idea that

visits so to reflect this idea that emotions emotions and effects are the

emotions emotions and effects are the

emotions emotions and effects are the drivers behind travel and tourism I put

drivers behind travel and tourism I put

drivers behind travel and tourism I put forth this concept of effective tourism

forth this concept of effective tourism

forth this concept of effective tourism in my book with the same title by

in my book with the same title by

in my book with the same title by effective tourism I mean the circulation

effective tourism I mean the circulation

effective tourism I mean the circulation projection transference

projection transference

projection transference countertransference of emotions and

countertransference of emotions and

countertransference of emotions and effects in most tourism transactions now

effects in most tourism transactions now

effects in most tourism transactions now this circulation of emotions and effects

this circulation of emotions and effects

this circulation of emotions and effects contributes to shaping identity of

contributes to shaping identity of

contributes to shaping identity of places especially in areas of ongoing

places especially in areas of ongoing

places especially in areas of ongoing turmoil and conflict where multiple

turmoil and conflict where multiple

turmoil and conflict where multiple contested and conflicting stories about

contested and conflicting stories about

contested and conflicting stories about a place who exists so to explore this

a place who exists so to explore this

a place who exists so to explore this process of identity formation of places

process of identity formation of places

process of identity formation of places I conduct tourism ethnography now what

I conduct tourism ethnography now what

I conduct tourism ethnography now what is tourism ethnography and what does a

is tourism ethnography and what does a

is tourism ethnography and what does a tourism ethnographer do as a tourism

tourism ethnographer do as a tourism

tourism ethnographer do as a tourism ethnographer I immerse myself in the

ethnographer I immerse myself in the

ethnographer I immerse myself in the tourism life of a place such as this

tourism life of a place such as this

tourism life of a place such as this marketplace in Jerusalem or alkyds

marketplace in Jerusalem or alkyds

marketplace in Jerusalem or alkyds as the tourism ethnographer I conduct

as the tourism ethnographer I conduct

as the tourism ethnographer I conduct interviews with locals with tourists

interviews with locals with tourists

interviews with locals with tourists with tourism industry representatives I

with tourism industry representatives I

with tourism industry representatives I commission Diaries from participants in

commission Diaries from participants in

commission Diaries from participants in my projects written Diaries photographic

my projects written Diaries photographic

my projects written Diaries photographic Diaries video diaries I also record my

Diaries video diaries I also record my

Diaries video diaries I also record my own observations which I later analyzed

own observations which I later analyzed

own observations which I later analyzed so from analyzing this wealth of

so from analyzing this wealth of

so from analyzing this wealth of information generated from these sources

information generated from these sources

information generated from these sources it is amazing to see the power of

it is amazing to see the power of

it is amazing to see the power of tourism and emotion to bring people

tourism and emotion to bring people

tourism and emotion to bring people together as tourism allows us the space

together as tourism allows us the space

together as tourism allows us the space gives us the space and emotional impetus

gives us the space and emotional impetus

gives us the space and emotional impetus to think through to reflect on important

to think through to reflect on important

to think through to reflect on important issues such as death personal traumas

issues such as death personal traumas

issues such as death personal traumas collective traumas international

collective traumas international

collective traumas international conflicts peace world and and so on now

conflicts peace world and and so on now

conflicts peace world and and so on now in my projects I explore tourism

in my projects I explore tourism

in my projects I explore tourism dynamics in the wider area of Jordan

dynamics in the wider area of Jordan

dynamics in the wider area of Jordan Israel and Palestine I have always

Israel and Palestine I have always

Israel and Palestine I have always wanted to understand the deep

wanted to understand the deep

wanted to understand the deep connections and disconnections in this

connections and disconnections in this

connections and disconnections in this region and here on the slide you can see

region and here on the slide you can see

region and here on the slide you can see a map of the region just to remind you

a map of the region just to remind you

a map of the region just to remind you of the geopolitical positioning of the

of the geopolitical positioning of the

of the geopolitical positioning of the area since 2009

area since 2009

area since 2009 I have spent accumulated of one year in

I have spent accumulated of one year in

I have spent accumulated of one year in the region I have conducted more than

the region I have conducted more than

the region I have conducted more than 100 interviews with tourists locals and

100 interviews with tourists locals and

100 interviews with tourists locals and so on I have taken a group of 25

so on I have taken a group of 25

so on I have taken a group of 25 students to Jordan for a fieldwork and

students to Jordan for a fieldwork and

students to Jordan for a fieldwork and it is amazing to see the increased

it is amazing to see the increased

it is amazing to see the increased emotional awareness cultural

emotional awareness cultural

emotional awareness cultural understanding and compassion with which

understanding and compassion with which

understanding and compassion with which most tourists leave such places it is

most tourists leave such places it is

most tourists leave such places it is equally amazing to see locals somewhat

equally amazing to see locals somewhat

equally amazing to see locals somewhat content that their realities on the

content that their realities on the

content that their realities on the ground have been witnessed by people

ground have been witnessed by people

ground have been witnessed by people from abroad the tourism in its potential

from abroad the tourism in its potential

from abroad the tourism in its potential for emotional engagements is a powerful

for emotional engagements is a powerful

for emotional engagements is a powerful tool to make the world a better place if

tool to make the world a better place if

tool to make the world a better place if and only if it is handled it is

and only if it is handled it is

and only if it is handled it is practiced with care compassion good

practiced with care compassion good

practiced with care compassion good morals and ethics tourism is equally a

morals and ethics tourism is equally a

morals and ethics tourism is equally a powerful tool to make us better people

powerful tool to make us better people

powerful tool to make us better people as tourism again allow allows us to

as tourism again allow allows us to

as tourism again allow allows us to space and gives us the emotional impact

space and gives us the emotional impact

space and gives us the emotional impact us to think through unravel and

us to think through unravel and

us to think through unravel and dismantle some of our prejudices some of

dismantle some of our prejudices some of

dismantle some of our prejudices some of our personal and collective traumas

our personal and collective traumas

our personal and collective traumas and in the following you will hear an

and in the following you will hear an

and in the following you will hear an interview an excerpt from an interview

interview an excerpt from an interview

interview an excerpt from an interview that I had with a tourist from France

that I had with a tourist from France

that I had with a tourist from France now the excerpt is the rope is the rough

now the excerpt is the rope is the rough

now the excerpt is the rope is the rough cut so please pay attention to the

cut so please pay attention to the

cut so please pay attention to the interview and also follow the reading of

interview and also follow the reading of

interview and also follow the reading of the transcript on the slide

so for these stories from France

so for these stories from France traveling in these areas of turmoil such

traveling in these areas of turmoil such

traveling in these areas of turmoil such as Jordan Israel and Palestine made him

as Jordan Israel and Palestine made him

as Jordan Israel and Palestine made him think of his father fighting the

think of his father fighting the

think of his father fighting the Algerian war made him made him think

Algerian war made him made him think

Algerian war made him made him think through his family memories and

through his family memories and

through his family memories and vocalized this in a discussion with me

vocalized this in a discussion with me

vocalized this in a discussion with me and this is an example of how tourism

and this is an example of how tourism

and this is an example of how tourism can make us better people as this

can make us better people as this

can make us better people as this tourist pledged not to ever fight a war

tourist pledged not to ever fight a war

tourist pledged not to ever fight a war and made him reflect on what world does

and made him reflect on what world does

and made him reflect on what world does to humanity now as a tourist and tourism

to humanity now as a tourist and tourism

to humanity now as a tourist and tourism researcher in the region I also

researcher in the region I also

researcher in the region I also encountered tourists who somewhat easily

encountered tourists who somewhat easily

encountered tourists who somewhat easily cross opposing binaries of emotions such

cross opposing binaries of emotions such

cross opposing binaries of emotions such as joy and anger fun and fear let’s take

as joy and anger fun and fear let’s take

as joy and anger fun and fear let’s take the example of Josie a tourist from

the example of Josie a tourist from

the example of Josie a tourist from China and in an interview with me as she

China and in an interview with me as she

China and in an interview with me as she was visiting the region she said and I

was visiting the region she said and I

was visiting the region she said and I quote I took pictures with the soldiers

quote I took pictures with the soldiers

quote I took pictures with the soldiers I even touched them I touched their guns

I even touched them I touched their guns

I even touched them I touched their guns it’s very cool I remember her having

it’s very cool I remember her having

it’s very cool I remember her having said that while laughing while at the

said that while laughing while at the

said that while laughing while at the same time we were afraid someone’s

same time we were afraid someone’s

same time we were afraid someone’s shooting us so you can see how easily

shooting us so you can see how easily

shooting us so you can see how easily she she she crosses this emotional

she she she crosses this emotional

she she she crosses this emotional binaries of fun and fear we were afraid

binaries of fun and fear we were afraid

binaries of fun and fear we were afraid someone shooting us but it was cool

someone shooting us but it was cool

someone shooting us but it was cool right and on the slide you can see a

right and on the slide you can see a

right and on the slide you can see a picture we can you can see two pictures

picture we can you can see two pictures

picture we can you can see two pictures of soldiers and armed soldiers at

of soldiers and armed soldiers at

of soldiers and armed soldiers at tourist sites themselves having fun

tourist sites themselves having fun

tourist sites themselves having fun while pictures of them were taken now

while pictures of them were taken now

while pictures of them were taken now tourism is not only about tourists right

tourism is not only about tourists right

tourism is not only about tourists right is also about locals and in these

is also about locals and in these

is also about locals and in these regions of turmoil tourism is a chance

regions of turmoil tourism is a chance

regions of turmoil tourism is a chance for locals to tell their side of the

for locals to tell their side of the

for locals to tell their side of the story

story

story tourism becomes a platform to make their

tourism becomes a platform to make their

tourism becomes a platform to make their voices heard take for example the case

voices heard take for example the case

voices heard take for example the case of this Jordanian tour guide who in an

of this Jordanian tour guide who in an

of this Jordanian tour guide who in an interview with me said

interview with me said

interview with me said and I quote I swear one of the reasons

and I quote I swear one of the reasons

and I quote I swear one of the reasons why I work as a tour guide is to change

why I work as a tour guide is to change

why I work as a tour guide is to change your that is our tourists own

your that is our tourists own

your that is our tourists own perceptions opinions about Arabs about

perceptions opinions about Arabs about

perceptions opinions about Arabs about Islam to show you we are something else

Islam to show you we are something else

Islam to show you we are something else we are not what you hear about us in

we are not what you hear about us in

we are not what you hear about us in your country so for me as a tourist and

your country so for me as a tourist and

your country so for me as a tourist and tourism researcher having grown up in

tourism researcher having grown up in

tourism researcher having grown up in communist Romania traveling in these

communist Romania traveling in these

communist Romania traveling in these places makes me confront my own

places makes me confront my own

places makes me confront my own childhood memories and growing up with

childhood memories and growing up with

childhood memories and growing up with certain limitations and insufficiencies

certain limitations and insufficiencies

certain limitations and insufficiencies and I want to remind you of the words of

and I want to remind you of the words of

and I want to remind you of the words of the British actress Emma Thompson when

the British actress Emma Thompson when

the British actress Emma Thompson when she visited the anne frank house and she

she visited the anne frank house and she

she visited the anne frank house and she said all her would haves are our real

said all her would haves are our real

said all her would haves are our real possibilities our opportunities so I

possibilities our opportunities so I

possibilities our opportunities so I want to make well if there is one

want to make well if there is one

want to make well if there is one message that I would like you to take

message that I would like you to take

message that I would like you to take I’m sorry that I would like you to take

I’m sorry that I would like you to take

I’m sorry that I would like you to take from my talk today is that emotions and

from my talk today is that emotions and

from my talk today is that emotions and effects are the drivers behind tourism

effects are the drivers behind tourism

effects are the drivers behind tourism they create disconnections as well as

they create disconnections as well as

they create disconnections as well as connections when we visit places and

connections when we visit places and

connections when we visit places and when we are the visited locals I also

when we are the visited locals I also

when we are the visited locals I also want to make one aspect really clear as

want to make one aspect really clear as

want to make one aspect really clear as far as I’m concerned

far as I’m concerned

far as I’m concerned tourism is a privilege is not a right to

tourism is a privilege is not a right to

tourism is a privilege is not a right to roam freely tourism is performed is

roam freely tourism is performed is

roam freely tourism is performed is practiced by about twelve to fourteen

practiced by about twelve to fourteen

practiced by about twelve to fourteen percent of the world’s population

percent of the world’s population

percent of the world’s population usually by those with enough money with

usually by those with enough money with

usually by those with enough money with enough disposable income to spend

enough disposable income to spend

enough disposable income to spend traveling usually originating from

traveling usually originating from

traveling usually originating from countries with developed economies in

countries with developed economies in

countries with developed economies in Europe North America and some English

Europe North America and some English

Europe North America and some English and Australasian countries this further

and Australasian countries this further

and Australasian countries this further increases our responsibility

increases our responsibility

increases our responsibility to use the power of tourism to tap into

to use the power of tourism to tap into

to use the power of tourism to tap into our compassionate and caring emotions to

our compassionate and caring emotions to

our compassionate and caring emotions to build bridges of peace to build

build bridges of peace to build

build bridges of peace to build connections and to turn and Frank and

connections and to turn and Frank and

connections and to turn and Frank and Frank’s would have into realities so my

Frank’s would have into realities so my

Frank’s would have into realities so my plea to you is this next time when you

plea to you is this next time when you

plea to you is this next time when you travel open not only your eyes and your

travel open not only your eyes and your

travel open not only your eyes and your cameras open your hearts as well take

cameras open your hearts as well take

cameras open your hearts as well take time to talk to as many people as

time to talk to as many people as

time to talk to as many people as possible to listen to people’s stories

possible to listen to people’s stories

possible to listen to people’s stories take time to engage with a place next

take time to engage with a place next

take time to engage with a place next time when you travel let your heart be

time when you travel let your heart be

time when you travel let your heart be impressed by what it feels let your

impressed by what it feels let your

impressed by what it feels let your actions be driven by care and compassion

actions be driven by care and compassion

actions be driven by care and compassion take time to reflect on issues important

take time to reflect on issues important

take time to reflect on issues important to you that are brought to the surface

to you that are brought to the surface

to you that are brought to the surface of your consciousness and awareness by

of your consciousness and awareness by

of your consciousness and awareness by engaging with that place next time when

engaging with that place next time when

engaging with that place next time when we travel perhaps keep a diary talk to

we travel perhaps keep a diary talk to

we travel perhaps keep a diary talk to as many locals as the place allows you

as many locals as the place allows you

as many locals as the place allows you next time when you travel bring home

next time when you travel bring home

next time when you travel bring home messages of peace become the one who

messages of peace become the one who

messages of peace become the one who speaks out for the dispossessed become

speaks out for the dispossessed become

speaks out for the dispossessed become the one who has the courage to unravel

the one who has the courage to unravel

the one who has the courage to unravel and dismantle your own prejudice and the

and dismantle your own prejudice and the

and dismantle your own prejudice and the prejudice of others become the one who

prejudice of others become the one who

prejudice of others become the one who contributes to dismantling the

contributes to dismantling the

contributes to dismantling the disconnections that keep us in conflict

disconnections that keep us in conflict

disconnections that keep us in conflict and this ladies and gentlemen is my

and this ladies and gentlemen is my

and this ladies and gentlemen is my humble bid for world peace through

humble bid for world peace through

humble bid for world peace through tourism and emotions thank you very much

tourism and emotions thank you very much

tourism and emotions thank you very much you

”

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