The new issue of the Cultural History journal – International Society for Cultural History

The new issue (11.2) of the Cultural History journal has been published. This is a themed issue titled ‘Cultural History and Heritage in Chinese Theme Parks‘ and edited by Florian Freitag and Chang Liu. Abstract:

“Globally, one of the most significant trends in theme park development over the past decade has been the increasing focus on intellectual properties as sources of theming. While theme parks in China have also participated in this trend, cultural history in general and Chinese cultural history and heritage in particular have continued to be popular sources of theming. Chinese theme parks, whether public or private enterprises, have thus contributed to the state-led ‘heritage turn’ in China, which from the 1980s onwards has used cultural history and heritage to foster cultural nationalism. The articles gathered here examine the specific motifs and strategies of the commercial, ‘unauthorized’ heritage turn in Chinese theme parks and, by bridging the gap between English- and Chinese-language research on theme parks, seek to foster interdisciplinary and intercultural scholarly exchange in the field of theme park studies.”

Articles:

‘Introduction: Cultural History and Heritage in Chinese Theme Parks’, by Florian Freitag and Chang Liu
‘Literary Tourism and City Branding: The Heritagization of Xu Xiake’s Former Residence in Jiangyin’, by Loredana Cesarino
‘Lu Town: Theme Parks and the Commodification of Literary Culture in China’, by Kirk A. Denton and Yichun Xu
‘Theme Park Imitations: The Case of Happy World (Happy Valley Beijing)’, by Filippo Carlà-Uhink and Florian Freitag
‘A Chinese‘High-Tech Theme Park Full of Stories’: Exploring Fantawild Oriental Heritage’, by Carissa Baker

Reviews:

Georgios Boudalis,The Codex and Crafts in Late Antiquity, reviewed by Uta Protz
Manuel De Carli (ed.), Meravigliosi ragni danzanti:Interpretazioni del tarantismo nel Seicento, reviewed by Tommaso Scaramella
Guy Beiner, Forgetful Remembrance: Social Forgetting and Vernacular Historiography of a Rebellion in Ulster, reviewed by Sarah Künzler
Thomas J. Balcerski, Bosom Friends: The Intimate World of James Buchanan and William Rufus King, reviewed by Brian M. Trump

Cultural History journal promotes the work and aims of the International Society for Cultural History which was founded in 2008. It generates discussion and debate on the nature of cultural history and current trends, and advances theoretical and methodological discussions relating to the field. Cultural History promotes new and innovative questions about the past and invites contributions from both advanced and junior scholars. Annual membership of the ISCH includes two online issues of the journal. If you need help accessing the journal, contact the ISCH secretary. For more information about the journal, see here.