Can absence restore authenticity? The case of Strasbourg Christmas Market

L’absence peut-elle restaurer l’authenticité ? Le cas du Marché de Noël de Strasbourg

Claire Roederer () and Marc Filser
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Claire Roederer: EM Strasbourg - École de Management de Strasbourg = EM Strasbourg Business School
Marc Filser: CREGO - Centre de Recherche en Gestion des Organisations - Université de Haute-Alsace (UHA) - Université de Haute-Alsace (UHA) Mulhouse - Colmar - UB - Université de Bourgogne - UBFC - Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté [COMUE] - UFC - Université de Franche-Comté - UBFC - Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté [COMUE]

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Abstract: The Strasbourg Christmas Market (MNS) was greatly impacted by the pandemic in 2020. This research delves into the role of absence in the consumption experience through fifteen semi-structured interviews with regular MNS attendees and ethnographic observations of the MNS's iconic locations. Our findings indicate that individuals, affected by two lockdowns and the pandemic's social and economic repercussions, are eager to rediscover the city without overbidding. The absence reinforces the imaginative value of the MNS, imparting renewed significance. The authentic heritage of Strasbourg's historic center appears to have been reclaimed and compensates for the void. The Christmas market is presented as a "place/time" that integrates with the city's palimpsest and regains its allure through its nonexistence. We explore these findings in connection with the search for more authentic cultural and recreational activities.

Keywords: Consumption experience; Authenticity; Christmas market; Cultural and leisure activities; Expérience de consommation; Authenticité; Marché de Noël; Activités culturelles et de loisirs (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023-03-31
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Published in 9ème Journée de Recherche en Marketing du Grand Est, CCMS et l’Université Catholique de Louvain, Mar 2023, Namur, Belgique

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:hal:journl:hal-04075360

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