Водач по изложбата - cult rural - Prisma

THE THE SCENARIO OF THE OF EXHIBITION THE EXHIBITION
5.
This exhibition This exhibition aims to aims reveal to reveal and illustrate and illustrate the symbolisms the symbolisms that have that been have been
preserved preserved in the in conscience the conscience of rural of communities, rural communities, thus remaining thus remaining alive as alive a as a
foundation foundation of their of collective their collective identity. identity. Celebrations, Celebrations, weddings, weddings, rituals rituals and customs and customs
provide provide a forum a forum community for community gatherings gatherings and for and revival for revival and preservation and preservation of of
long-held long-held traditions traditions reinforcing reinforcing the community the community spirit. spirit. Symbolic Symbolic events events may have may have
lost their lost potency their potency in present in present societies; societies; however however their significance their significance remains remains high, high,
because because customary customary and traditional and traditional acts incorporate acts incorporate a nostalgic a nostalgic dimension, dimension, relating relating
the past the to past the to present, the present, keeping keeping the collective the collective memory memory alive and alive demonstrating,
and demonstrating,
in a unique in a unique way, the way, difference the difference between between everyday everyday life and life celebrations, and celebrations, the latter the latter
having having a primary a primary function function as sources as sources of joy of and joy cultural and cultural expression, expression, usually usually
through through dancing, dancing, singing singing and sharing and sharing food and food drink. and drink. The exhibition The exhibition attempts attempts to to
interpret interpret the role the of role such of events such events in the in process the process of social of social and cultural and cultural evolution, evolution, to to
show show social how social capital capital is being is being built and built enhanced. and enhanced.
The exhibition The exhibition is structured is structured along along four “thematic four “thematic units” units” that reflect that reflect manifestations manifestations of of
symbolic symbolic acts in acts the in ethnography the ethnography and current and current practices practices of three of three countries: countries: Greece, Greece,
Poland Poland Bulgaria. and Bulgaria. These These units refer units to refer a) apotropaic to a) apotropaic and protective and protective acts, b) acts, b)
symbolisms symbolisms of fertility, of fertility, c) ecstatic c) ecstatic rituals rituals and d) and rites d) of rites passage. of passage.
APOTROPAIC APOTROPAIC AND PROTECTIVE AND PROTECTIVE ACTS ACTS
This unit This includes unit includes apotropaic apotropaic and protective and protective rituals rituals and objects and objects related related to the to 12- the 12-
day feast day of feast Christmas of Christmas and to and the to carnival. the carnival. Christmas Christmas brings brings with it with a rich it a range rich range of of
customs customs expressed expressed by the by preparation the preparation of special of special breads breads and the and performance the performance of of
rituals rituals related related to divine to divine adoration adoration and the and warding the warding off of off evil of spirits. evil spirits. The meaning The meaning
of these of these customs customs and rituals and rituals is relayed is relayed through through a diversity a diversity of exhibits: of exhibits: animalheahead
or demonic or demonic masks, masks, bells, bells, swords swords and shepherd’s and shepherd’s sticks, sticks, as well as as well musical as musical
animal-
instruments instruments forming forming parts parts of masquerades, of masquerades, are worn are by worn children by children or adults or adults to drive to drive
away away the evil the spirits evil spirits and the and forces the forces of winter of winter and darkness; and darkness; caroling caroling bells, bells, houses, houses,
boats, boats, holy crèches, holy crèches, Christmas Christmas decorations decorations and porte-bonneur and porte-bonneur form part form of part rituals of rituals
related related to the to religious the religious character character of Christmas; of Christmas; specially specially decorated decorated breads breads and and
wafers wafers depict depict the hope the hope for affluence for affluence and abundance and abundance of food of throughout food throughout the year. the year.
Films Films from various from various regions regions of Greece, of Greece, Poland Poland Bulgaria and Bulgaria can be can selected be selected by the by the
visitor visitor view, to view, placing placing the exhibits the exhibits in the in context the context of the of actual the actual happenings. happenings.
SYMBOLISMS SYMBOLISMS OF FERTILITY OF FERTILITY
The fertility The fertility of the of earth the earth is symbolized is symbolized by the by rituals the rituals of Easter of Easter and by and harvesting by harvesting
celebrations celebrations that conclude that conclude cultivation cultivation cycles. cycles. Easter Easter is for Christians for Christians the most the most
sacred sacred event event of the of year, the symbolizing year, symbolizing also the also regeneration the regeneration of the of earth the earth and its and its
preparation preparation for bearing for bearing fruits. fruits. The dividing The dividing line between line between religious religious and fertility and fertility rituals
is very rituals fine: Palm is very crosses, fine: Palm lazarines, crosses, Easter lazarines, eggs, Easter epitaphios, eggs, specially epitaphios, decorated specially
breads decorated are presented, breads complemented are presented, by complemented audio-visual material by audio-visual depicting material parades depicting
and ceremonies parades and that ceremonies transcend that faith transcend to symbolize faith health, to symbolize fortune health, and a good fortune and a
harvest. good Harvesting harvest. Harvesting celebrations celebrations in fields are in illustrated fields
by photos are illustrated and film; and by photos exhibits and are film; presented and exhibits of are
symbolic presented objects of such symbolic as bowls objects with such grains as and bowls fruit, with
ear corns grains and and special fruit, ear bread corns and special bread.
7. Female wax Mask “Boula” worn in the carnival
of Naoussa, Macedonia, Greece (phot.V.Voutsas)
8. Figurine from vetch’s Christmas by J.
Jakielaszek, Gać, Poland (MNZP Przemyśl)
6 6
9. „Goat” Disguise, made by: M. Strzębicki, Ruda
Różaniecka, Podkarpackie voivodship, 1997,
Poland (MK in Lubaczów)
7. 7.
10. Christmas tree decoration, 2005,
8.
Poland (MK in Lubaczów)