AUTHENTICITY AS A TALE: TOURISM IN ARCHITECTURAL
RESERVES
Assist. Prof. Ilinka Terziyska
SWU Neofit Rilski
Subject of the study – authenticity;
Object – architectural reserves in Bulgaria
Aim – to set the basis of a theoretical model of authenticity in heritage tourism.
Method: qualitative study of tourists’ perceptions
Authenticity – the debate
Object-related 1) Objectivism
Boorstin – pseudo event
MacCannel – staged authenticity
2) Constructivism
Cohen – symbolic authenticity
Bruner – four types of authenticity – verisimilitude, original, true, authority
Activity-related Wang – existential authenticity
The questionnaire:
1) Would you visit an architectural reserve?
2) Is authentic atmosphere important for you during your visit?
3) What would create the feeling of authentic atmosphere in such a place?
The word cloud
Types of authenticity (after Bruner)
TRUE VERISIMILITUDE (reproduction)
Authentic
Historic sites
Fortresses
Revival architecture
Re-enactment of customs & holidays
Hotels with authentic motives in their furnishing
Folk costumes in restaurants
Some semantic analysis…
Veranda
Чардак
Drinking fountainЧешма
Used mainly in tales and songs;A symbol of prosperity, the public place in thehouse; communication place
Used mainly in tales and songs;Association with romance,Symbol of generosity and prosperity
The quest for authenticity
… can be a quest for the folk tale, an authentic story of real social structures intermingled with the unreal, the imaginary.
The concept of staged authenticity perceived as fakery should be reconsidered.
Two subgroups of tale-seekers
Knowledge and Immersion
the Spectator and the Participant
The model:
Authenticity continuum
museum carnivaltale
Implications for further research
Additional research is needed to identify:
The profile of tale seekers (the two subgroups); The ratio between tangible and intangible
elements, the genuine and the reproduced; The perspective of the local community.
Thank you for you attention!