Exploring the symbolism of traditional Szekely gates in heritage tourism
Gates represent an important component of the Romanian domestic life since historical times. They function as a barrier between the sacred family space from inside the household and the space and potential dangers from outside it. Traditional wooden gates have been inscribed with specific elements,...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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University of Bucharest
2018-05-01
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| Series: | Human Geographies: Journal of Studies and Research in Human Geography |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.humangeographies.org.ro/volume-12-issue-1-2018/1215-abstract |
| _version_ | 1818835116783304704 |
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| author | Mihaela Preda Ana Irina Lequeux-Dincă Iuliana Vijulie Alina Mareci Ana-Maria Taloş Anca Tudoricu |
| author_facet | Mihaela Preda Ana Irina Lequeux-Dincă Iuliana Vijulie Alina Mareci Ana-Maria Taloş Anca Tudoricu |
| author_sort | Mihaela Preda |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Gates represent an important component of the Romanian domestic life since historical times. They function as a barrier between the sacred family space from inside the household and the space and potential dangers from outside it. Traditional wooden gates have been inscribed with specific elements, thus functioning simultaneously as a household utility and conserving a common identity through their symbolism. Szekely gates represent a lesser-known and studied element of ethnocultural heritage, although the area where they are located has been in the last few years and will probably continue to be a very dynamic and sought after tourism destination. The wooden Székely gates, found in areas inhabited by this ethnic minority, represent a true accumulation of both Romanian and Székely rituals and symbols. The aim of the study is to highlight the importance of the gates for the traditional ethnographic heritage of this ethnic minority with real implications for the development of local cultural and heritage tourism. The objectives of the study consist in identifying the main areas of distribution for Székely gates in Transylvania, the significance of their main symbols and the level of their current national and international promotion. The research methodology included direct observations, GIS techniques, and field investigations. The results of this exploratory study show the location of the traditional Székely gates and their diversity, and the coexistence of a Romanian symbolism with one that is exclusively local through specific motifs and colours. This diversity and coexistence of symbols gives the possibility of inserting Székely gates as added cultural values into an already visible and viable tourism area. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-19T02:45:36Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-df45a34710d046b2a3850dc55bf3d722 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1843-6587 2067-2284 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-19T02:45:36Z |
| publishDate | 2018-05-01 |
| publisher | University of Bucharest |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Human Geographies: Journal of Studies and Research in Human Geography |
| spelling | doaj.art-df45a34710d046b2a3850dc55bf3d7222022-12-21T20:38:54ZengUniversity of BucharestHuman Geographies: Journal of Studies and Research in Human Geography1843-65872067-22842018-05-01121819610.5719/hgeo.2018.121.5Exploring the symbolism of traditional Szekely gates in heritage tourismMihaela Preda0Ana Irina Lequeux-Dincă1Iuliana Vijulie2Alina Mareci3Ana-Maria Taloş4 Anca Tudoricu5University of Bucharest, RomaniaUniversity of Bucharest, RomaniaUniversity of Bucharest, RomaniaUniversity of Bucharest, RomaniaUniversity of Bucharest, RomaniaUniversity of Bucharest, RomaniaGates represent an important component of the Romanian domestic life since historical times. They function as a barrier between the sacred family space from inside the household and the space and potential dangers from outside it. Traditional wooden gates have been inscribed with specific elements, thus functioning simultaneously as a household utility and conserving a common identity through their symbolism. Szekely gates represent a lesser-known and studied element of ethnocultural heritage, although the area where they are located has been in the last few years and will probably continue to be a very dynamic and sought after tourism destination. The wooden Székely gates, found in areas inhabited by this ethnic minority, represent a true accumulation of both Romanian and Székely rituals and symbols. The aim of the study is to highlight the importance of the gates for the traditional ethnographic heritage of this ethnic minority with real implications for the development of local cultural and heritage tourism. The objectives of the study consist in identifying the main areas of distribution for Székely gates in Transylvania, the significance of their main symbols and the level of their current national and international promotion. The research methodology included direct observations, GIS techniques, and field investigations. The results of this exploratory study show the location of the traditional Székely gates and their diversity, and the coexistence of a Romanian symbolism with one that is exclusively local through specific motifs and colours. This diversity and coexistence of symbols gives the possibility of inserting Székely gates as added cultural values into an already visible and viable tourism area.http://www.humangeographies.org.ro/volume-12-issue-1-2018/1215-abstractSzékely gatescultural heritagetourismsymbolismRomania |
| spellingShingle | Mihaela Preda Ana Irina Lequeux-Dincă Iuliana Vijulie Alina Mareci Ana-Maria Taloş Anca Tudoricu Exploring the symbolism of traditional Szekely gates in heritage tourism Human Geographies: Journal of Studies and Research in Human Geography Székely gates cultural heritage tourism symbolism Romania |
| title | Exploring the symbolism of traditional Szekely gates in heritage tourism |
| title_full | Exploring the symbolism of traditional Szekely gates in heritage tourism |
| title_fullStr | Exploring the symbolism of traditional Szekely gates in heritage tourism |
| title_full_unstemmed | Exploring the symbolism of traditional Szekely gates in heritage tourism |
| title_short | Exploring the symbolism of traditional Szekely gates in heritage tourism |
| title_sort | exploring the symbolism of traditional szekely gates in heritage tourism |
| topic | Székely gates cultural heritage tourism symbolism Romania |
| url | http://www.humangeographies.org.ro/volume-12-issue-1-2018/1215-abstract |
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