AUTHENTICITY AS A TALE: TOURISM IN ARCHITECTURAL

RESERVES

Assist. Prof. Ilinka Terziyska

SWU Neofit Rilski

Subject of the study – authenticity;

Object – architectural reserves in Bulgaria

Aim – to set the basis of a theoretical model of authenticity in heritage tourism.

Method: qualitative study of tourists’ perceptions

Authenticity – the debate

Object-related 1) Objectivism

Boorstin – pseudo event

MacCannel – staged authenticity

2) Constructivism

Cohen – symbolic authenticity

Bruner – four types of authenticity – verisimilitude, original, true, authority

Activity-related Wang – existential authenticity

The questionnaire:

1) Would you visit an architectural reserve?

2) Is authentic atmosphere important for you during your visit?

3) What would create the feeling of authentic atmosphere in such a place?

The word cloud

Types of authenticity (after Bruner)

TRUE VERISIMILITUDE (reproduction)

Authentic

Historic sites

Fortresses

Revival architecture

Re-enactment of customs & holidays

Hotels with authentic motives in their furnishing

Folk costumes in restaurants

Some semantic analysis…

Veranda

Чардак

Drinking fountainЧешма

Used mainly in tales and songs;A symbol of prosperity, the public place in thehouse; communication place

Used mainly in tales and songs;Association with romance,Symbol of generosity and prosperity

The quest for authenticity

… can be a quest for the folk tale, an authentic story of real social structures intermingled with the unreal, the imaginary.

The concept of staged authenticity perceived as fakery should be reconsidered.

Two subgroups of tale-seekers

Knowledge and Immersion

the Spectator and the Participant

The model:

Authenticity continuum

museum carnivaltale

Implications for further research

Additional research is needed to identify:

The profile of tale seekers (the two subgroups); The ratio between tangible and intangible

elements, the genuine and the reproduced; The perspective of the local community.

Thank you for you attention!