Stage fright and romanticism in Il Giro del Mondo

This paper addresses the local cultural consequences of tourist quest for authenticity through an ethnographic study ancient Christianized pagan spring ritual in Northern Italy. Rather than embracing its Christian features, tourists and inhabitants alike define meaning romanticist terms. informs “stage fright” at both ends, i.e., concerns that it may degenerate into a staged folklore show. Defining event as celebrating their community ties to land, even dismiss attendance altogether. Contradicting theories culture loss, tourism here moreover strengthens rather weakens identity, albeit not by accommodating authenticity, sustenance suggest, but opposition it.