| The
role of celebrations
As societies develop and begin to have a structure, a need
is felt to establish precise points of reference in time and
in space in order to ensure a sense of community. The dance
lime tree is a perfect example of one of these reference points.
Its presence enables the community to gather together to mark
important events. Festive times, whose origins can be cosmic,
religious, political or commemorative, punctuate the calendar
in a variety of ways. They ensure the transmission, from one
generation to the next, of a sense of order, and can stretch
back to earliest times. Their function is to maintain traditions
which, in order to be perpetuated, must remain open to new
developments. Celebrations bring the population together and
result in a feeling of community that rises from working towards
a common goal. Unlike secular activities, these celebrations,
a series of festive rites of great intensity, occur in a sacred
atmosphere of suspended time. All community members experience
a profound sense of unity on festive days. Worries and quarrels
are forgotten in favour of reconciliation, encounters and
happily concluded agreements. These festive times are a far
cry from commercial celebrations sponsored by brand names
and in which people merely play a passive role. The participation
of each and every community member replaces entertainment
that is absorbed passively. |
A Dance Lime Tree in Ratibor |
