The Sound of Citizenship

TY - JOUR

T1 - The Sound of Citizenship

AU - Damsholt, Tine

PY - 2008

Y1 - 2008

N2 -  This article discusses how the soundscape of citizenship ceremonies is part of the materialization of citizenship in the 21st century. In this comparative research on citizenship ceremonies in West European countries, the use of the performative approach has led to change focus from the textual discourse and rhetoric of the citizenship ceremonies to what is actually done. In the ceremonies, citizenship is not only enacted in different discourses and versions of bodily practice. It is also materialized in flags, certificates, information folders, pins, medals, food and beverages, and in various soundscapes comprising recitation of oaths, playing children, folk music, and singing of national anthems.  These soundscapes are the primary focus of this paper, thus promoting the idea of an ethnology of sensory experience and materialization.

AB -  This article discusses how the soundscape of citizenship ceremonies is part of the materialization of citizenship in the 21st century. In this comparative research on citizenship ceremonies in West European countries, the use of the performative approach has led to change focus from the textual discourse and rhetoric of the citizenship ceremonies to what is actually done. In the ceremonies, citizenship is not only enacted in different discourses and versions of bodily practice. It is also materialized in flags, certificates, information folders, pins, medals, food and beverages, and in various soundscapes comprising recitation of oaths, playing children, folk music, and singing of national anthems.  These soundscapes are the primary focus of this paper, thus promoting the idea of an ethnology of sensory experience and materialization.

KW - Faculty of Humanities

KW - citizenship, materialization, soundscape, ritual

M3 - Journal article

SN - 0425-4597

VL - 38

SP - 56

EP - 65

JO - Ethnologia Europaea

JF - Ethnologia Europaea

IS - 1

ER -