Routledge Handbook of Dark Events
Celebrations, Heritage, and Customs of Death and the Macabre
James Kennell editor Philip R Stone editor Brianna Wyatt editor Hannah Stewart editor
Format:Hardback
Publisher:Taylor & Francis Ltd
Publishing:31st Mar '26
£230.00
This title is due to be published on 31st March, and will be despatched as soon as possible.
This handbook explores and critically evaluates key debates and controversies in the emerging field of Dark Events. It brings together leading specialists from a range of disciplinary backgrounds and geographical regions to provide state-of-the-art theoretical reflection and empirical research on celebrations, heritage and customs of death (events) and the macabre.
Divided into ten parts, the book explores traditions of dark festivals and events; the display of the dead; commemoration and authenticity within the context of dark events; dark events from the past; dark events in popular culture; controversial dark events; grief and memory; managing dark event experiences; decolonisation and equality for the dead; and dark event futures. This significant volume offers the reader a comprehensive synthesis of this emerging field, conveying the latest thinking and research. The text is international in focus, encouraging dialogue across disciplinary boundaries and areas of study, providing an invaluable resource for all those with an interest in Dark Events.
This is essential reading for students, researchers and academics of Dark Events, as well as those of related studies such as tourism, cultural studies, leisure, geography, sociology, death studies and museums.
"Readers of the Routledge Handbook of Dark Events will be challenged: about preconceived notions of why events are held to commemorate death, wars, and disasters; why people travel for ritualised and sanitised horror; why dark events and dark tourism have become mainstream. The contributors and editors of this reference volume have, in ten sections, systematically and provocatively covered the entire field as never before. They have achieved balance between theory and real-world examples, provided an inter-disciplinary approach that will appeal to many scholars and practitioners in diverse fields, explored ethical and practical issues, and created a landmark to both consolidate and advance these fields."
Donald Getz, PhD, Professor Emeritus, The University of Calgary, CA
"This outstanding Handbook elucidates the complexities of dark events and offers profound insights into people’s fascination with human suffering and death, and the commemoration of such phenomena through events and other touristic happenings. The book’s multifaceted perspectives on humankind’s interest in the macabre provide an excellent treatise on the hauntological outcomes of the performativity, ritualization, memorialization and heritagization of difficult pasts. A must-read collection!"
Dallen J. Timothy, Arizona State University, US
"Dark Events is a relatively recent yet fascinating and topical area of study and research. The editors’ innovative, new text expands the academic field of dark tourism, through the DET framework, to reveal the importance and centrality of events and festivals to this debate and their role as a global phenomenon celebrating and educating readers about mortality and the macabre.
Through a range of unique and novel chapters and event case studies, contributors explore themes such as celebration; tradition; representation; authenticity and commodification, bringing together the largest contribution of current thinking and insights in this area and extending the event studies literature.
Never has there been a time when a text like this was more needed and relevant to help us understand, contextualize and critique current political, cultural and psychological issues surrounding death and help us learn from what history has taught us."
Dr Jane Ali-Knight, Professor in Festival and Event Management, The Business School, Edinburgh Napier University, UK
ISBN: 9781032766706
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: unknown
548 pages