Gallipoli

Motives for dark tourism: enrichment, education and empathy? Or just plain voyeurism and morbid curiosity?

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Last weekend I posted about Anzac Day, sacred moments, and the revival of nationalism and Anzac Day imagery and ‘young Australia’: national identity and the need for heroes. The extensive media coverage here in Australia showing young flag-wearing and flag-waving Australians on Anzac Day was what had motivated my series of posts reflecting on the … Read more about Motives for dark tourism: enrichment, education and empathy? Or just plain voyeurism and morbid curiosity?

Grief tourism or simply the thing that you do? Are war memorials the new churches?

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I reckon grief tourism is a void filled by a lack of religion or interest in religion. It’s the thing that you do when you can’t be bothered going to a church on your travels. I think it’s still all about entertainment. I don’t think it’s about actual grief,” wrote a reader, Sandy, in response … Read more about Grief tourism or simply the thing that you do? Are war memorials the new churches?

Anzac Day imagery and ‘young Australia’: national identity and the need for heroes

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I recall when the defining image of Anzac Day was a shot of craggy faced old diggers in uniform, slouch hats on their heads, medals on chests, marching with pride, many pushing their comrades in wheelchairs. Now the media is saturated with images of young Australians, standing on the beach at Gallipoli, in over-sized sunnies, … Read more about Anzac Day imagery and ‘young Australia’: national identity and the need for heroes