The Essay: The Meaning of Ritual

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The Essay: The Meaning of Ritual: The Reinvention of Ritual

The Reinvention of Ritual

The Meaning of Ritual

BBC Radio 3 - The Essay, The Meaning of Ritual, The Reinvention of Ritual

Madeleine Bunting asks whether it’s time to value ritual afresh.

At Christmas time, even hardened sceptics are able to enjoy some beloved rituals again. Writer Madeleine Bunting considers whether it’s time to revalue ritual.

In her final Essay, the writer Madeleine Bunting explores the work of the Korean-born philosopher Byung Chul-Han, who passionately argues that the decline of traditional ritual has potentially disastrous consequences. Ritual, he believes, creates a sense of belonging. 

The rituals of Christmas make this very obvious: it is a time when even hardened sceptics feel able to enjoy traditions again, from the familiar pattern of Nine Lessons and Carols to family rituals around what you eat and when, or in what order you unwrap your presents. So, asks Madeleine, is it time we gave up on scornful attitudes towards ritual and started valuing it again? 

This BBC Radio 3 series explores aspects of ritual throughout this week, taking in public and private Christmas rituals and asking what the Covid pandemic has taught us about their significance. 

The series producer is Kristine Pommert for CTVC.

Live music and the arts: broadcasts more live music than any other radio network. Classical music is its core. Genres include world and new music, jazz, speech and drama.

Madeleine Bunting explores whether public and private ritual has outlived its usefulness.

Ritual is often perceived as empty and devoid of meaning. Writer Madeleine Bunting explores whether we are witnessing the demise of ritual or its transformation.

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