Ludyczne aspekty europejskiego spirytyzmu w latach 1853–1854
Ludic aspects of European spiritism in 1853–1854

Author(s): Kamila Gęsikowska
Subject(s): Cultural Anthropology / Ethnology
Published by: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Śląskiego
Keywords: play; spiritism; Johan Huizinga; Julian Florian Horain;
Summary/Abstract: The article is devoted to the phenomenon of the so-called “turning tables”; which; having initially taken on a form of play in Europe; has become culturally important. I have analyzed the sources from 1853–1854 due to the extremely dynamic development of this type of experiments. In my considerations I have referred mainly to the work of Julian Florian Horain Stoły wędrujące: szkic poł-naukowy i poł-humorystyczny [Wandering tables: a semi-scientific and semi-humorous sketch]; published in the same year as the “fashion” for “wandering tables” appeared. This fashion for “turning tables”; which spread across Europe; formed quite clear and uniform rules according to which the play was organized. That is why I based my deliberations on Johan Huizinga’s concept of play as a source of culture; contained in the fundamental work of the researcher Homo Ludens. Through my analysis; I indicated how experiments carried out in the form of play at “turning tables” influenced the development of permanent structures; important for the future European culture. Among other things; one can mention the spiritualism movement or the interest in researching the spiritualistic phenomena of academic circles; but also the preservation of spiritualistic séances in the form of play.

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