On the road to high modernity : public festivities in the Bohemian crown lands / Karel Šima

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Šima, Karel, author.

Series:

Central European studies

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Festivals--Czech Republic--Bohemia--19th century.

Festivals.

Bohemia (Czech Republic)--Social life and customs--19th century.

Bohemia (Czech Republic).

Physical Description:

1 online resource

Place of Publication:

West Lafayette, Indiana : Purdue University Press, [2026]

Summary:

"Why, where, when, and how should individuals engage in festivities? On the Road to High Modernity traces the modernization of public festivities during the nineteenth century, focusing on the Bohemian Crown Lands of the Habsburg Monarchy. Characterized by its rapid and successful modernization in the final century of the Monarchy's existence, this territory serves as a unique laboratory for examining the evolution of modern political culture. As organizers of celebrations navigated the complexities of an increasingly fragmented society marked by ethnic, religious, and social divisions, they faced the daunting challenge of promoting diverse interests. By analyzing the intricate organization of festive events in public spaces, it is revealed how these activities were not merely celebrations, but strategic orchestrations that balanced rationality with emotion, discipline with spontaneity, and the interplay between public and private realms. These modern festivities were instrumental in promoting various agendas within the intricate landscape of Central European identity politics—be it nationalist aspirations, monarchical loyalty, class interests, or religious affiliations. Ultimately, these celebrations had profound implications for the stability or disruption of political and social order in the late Habsburg Monarchy"-- JSTOR

Contents:

Legality and legitimacy

Identity and interests

Time

Space

Ritual and protest

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index

Online resource; title from PDF title page (JSTOR, viewed April 1, 2026)

Other Format:

Print version: Šima, Karel On the road to high modernity

ISBN:

9781626711440

1626711445

9781626711457

1626711453

OCLC:

1559919907