Destruction of heritage, community and anthropomorphism

Abstract

The article investigates the community effects of the destruction of heritage. Drawing on the literature on anthropomorphism, we define heritage anthropomorphism as the tendency of attributing a heritage site not only human-like physical features, qualities and behaviors, but also superhuman characteristics. Through a social network and thematic analysis on the Notre-Dame cathedral fire which is perceived as the death of a human, we show that its destruction gave rise to an active virtual community of mourners, bringing together tourists, locals, officials and managers like a funeral procession. The findings also reveal different forms of grief in the conversations which include shock and denial, anger and sadness, questioning life, memory sharing and recovery.