Jeremy Boissevain – författare

Malta's recent independence was achieved despite a confusion of internal conflicts which must appear puzzling to the outsider. Socialists and Nationalists clash both with each other, and with a Church whose authority is almost medieval. Dr Boissevain has lived for more than two years in Malta and has studied at first hand the conflicting groups in the villages. He examines the importance of the cults of saints and the bitter rivalry between them. The clash of the Church and Labour clubs within the villages and the difficult role of the parish priest are analysed in the framework of Maltese ecclesiastical and secular politics. Both in its vivid description of village festive and political life and in the careful analysis of conflicts and factions, the book makes an important contribution to political anthropology.

Drawing on field research in Malta, Sicily and among Italian emigrants in Canada, this book explores the social influence of the Mediterranean climate and the legacy of ethnic and religious conflict from the past five decades. Case studies illustrate the complexity of daily life not only in the region but also in more remote academe, by analysing the effects of fierce family loyalty, emigration and the social consequences of factionalism, patronage and the friends-of-friends networks that are widespread in the region. Several chapters discuss the social and environmental impact of mass tourism, how locals cope, and the paradoxical increase in religious pageantry and public celebrations. The discussions echo changes in the region and the related development of the author’s own interests and engagement with prevailing issues through his career.

First published in 1992, Revitalizing European Rituals explores why revitalization of celebrations is taking place in communities throughout Europe. The festive behaviour appears to contradict the sober, rational conduct associated with modernization and industrialization. The contributors examine fairs, carnivals, fiestas, Holy Week, and national rituals in Britain, Poland, Spain, Italy, Malta and Greece. They have lived and worked in the communities they describe, celebrated the festivities they analyse, and have discussed them with the celebrants.The underlying reasons for the revival are complex and examined fully. The conclusions provide surprising insights into the changes sweeping across Europe. This book will be valuable reading for researchers and lecturers in social anthropology, sociology, religious studies, cultural studies, and tourism.

Once content to sunbathe and follow guides and established itineraries, tourists are increasingly seeking authentic culture. This is taking them into the private areas and zones to which the locals retire in order to escape the tourist gaze, creating tensions between the two groups. Based on recent anthropological field studies, this book describes how European communities dependant on tourism have been affected by the commoditization of their culture and explores the ways they cope with the constant attention of outsiders. The collection demonstrates both varied and skillful ways in which individuals and communities react to and cope with the impact of decades of mass tourism on their lives and values, thus throwing new light onto questions of identity, boundary maintenance and cultural adjustment.

Once content to sunbathe and follow guides and established itineraries, tourists are increasingly seeking authentic culture. This is taking them into the private areas and zones to which the locals retire in order to escape the tourist gaze, creating tensions between the two groups. Based on recent anthropological field studies, this book describes how European communities dependant on tourism have been affected by the commoditization of their culture and explores the ways they cope with the constant attention of outsiders. The collection demonstrates both varied and skillful ways in which individuals and communities react to and cope with the impact of decades of mass tourism on their lives and values, thus throwing new light onto questions of identity, boundary maintenance and cultural adjustment.

Malta's recent independence was achieved despite a confusion of internal conflicts which must appear puzzling to the outsider. Socialists and Nationalists clash both with each other, and with a Church whose authority is almost medieval. Dr Boissevain has lived for more than two years in Malta and has studied at first hand the conflicting groups in the villages. He examines the importance of the cults of saints and the bitter rivalry between them. The clash of the Church and Labour clubs within the villages and the difficult role of the parish priest are analysed in the framework of Maltese ecclesiastical and secular politics. Both in its vivid description of village festive and political life and in the careful analysis of conflicts and factions, the book makes an important contribution to political anthropology.

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