2. CONTENTS
What is Unpleasant place tourism
Jalianwala Bagh History
Tourism and sentiments
Interpreting unpleasant places
Summary
3. Unpleasant place tourism
Thanatourism : We humans are very curious; very curious to know, to see and to feel.
This curiosity attracts us to places where stories beautiful or painful reside.
When we visit these places we feel connected to that place, connected to the story
that many lived ages ago. Government may preach their citizen to ignore the
unpleasant past and move on but on same time preserve these unpleasant places
to attract the tourism. Tourism of these unpleasant places is called thanatourism
Cambodia Killing fields: Approximate 2.5 Millions of total
8 Million population of country killed by Khmer army
Major tourist attraction and part in country economy
Australia Port Arthur Massacre: 35 people killed by
an Australian teenager Martin Bryant
Major Australian tourist attraction
4. Unpleasant place tourism
Rape of Nanking: Approximate 300,000 Chinese killed by
Japanese army
Major Chinese tourist attraction
Jalianwala Bagh Massacre: Approximately 1000
Indians killed by England army/forces
Major Indian tourist attraction
Babi Yar Massacre: Approximately 150,000 lives taken by Nazi’s rule
Major Ukrainian tourist attraction
5. HISTORY: Jalianwala bagh
13th April, 1919, approximately 1500 Indians grouped together in a park called
“Jalianwala Bagh” for religious pray and also to show non-violent protest
against British army’s illegal capture of Indian leaders. Brigadier-General
Reginald E.H. Dyer has covered the area with army and without any reasons
started firing on the more than 1500 people including innocent women,
children and men. Firing last for more than 15 minutes till all ammunition
exhausted. More than 1000 innocent Indians have been killed and
a garden became blood pond.
6. Today: Jalianwala bagh
A monument in remembrance of innocent
lives is created in Jalianwala Bagh.
Architecture based on symbolism including
a 30-feet high pylon, with stone lanterns on
four sides, stands in the middle of a
shallow tank in the garden. The lanterns
are carved with Ashok Chakra and the
words, “In memory of martyrs, 13 April
1919”, have been inscribed on all four sides
of the pylon. A lamp, burning to pay
homage to the martyrs, is placed at the
entrance. It is the Eternal Flame of Liberty.
7. Tourism and sentiments
It is interesting and probably must for few
to visit unpleasant places to calm their
curiosity and live a time where time
stopped once.
As a tourist it is important to understand
the feeling of people who are part of that
brutal reality. Sentiments and feelings of
local should be respected.
Government might be using these places to boost tourism economy also some
locals might be capitalising on tourism but in last it is the harsh reality on humanity
and this should be respected.
There has been police action due to issues between police and locals at
Amtitsar when a tourist made a joke of incident.
8. Interpreting Unpleasant places
Jalianwala Bagh:
Marks of bullets still exist, facts from speech of British government still exists and
People who lost their family still exist and visit Jalianwala Bagh
often to pay tribute.
Interpretation of this site is not difficult as site still speaks
through bullet marks.
For remembrance three symbols of peace, eternal life and respect are created in
Jalianwala Bagh
As a tourist it is difficult to understand these symbols till message explaining them
is read.
9. Interpreting Unpleasant places
Nanking Memorial:
Nanking massacre, one of the most painful massacre has limited visible
Interpretation possible without knowing the history. Although the structure created
At memorial shows shows pain, grief and fight for survival.
Feelings rise up in Jalianwala Bagh when we see bullet
marks and well where many killed but in this memorial
museum creates the medium for interpretation.
Museum and art galleries are great medium for
interpretation. Cambodia's killing field’s display is one
soul shaking example.
10. Interpreting Unpleasant places Tourists
Dark tourist
Homage, pay tribute and respect
Pleasure tourist
Fun, curiosity, completing travel
Dark Tourist
Relationship
Unpleasant place
No Relationship
Pleasure
Tourist
11. Architecture and Unpleasant places
Architecture living socio-culture and presenting a hope.
Architecture with open plan creating hollowness in
heart for what we lost.
Architecture with red colour or black shades structure
symbolising pain
Plain, raw structures, speaking through their stories
12. summary
“They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.”
― Laurence Binyon
