Catechesis, Piety, and Subversion : Czech Christological Ballads (1700–1950)
The result's identifiers
Result code in IS VaVaI
<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F00216224%3A14210%2F25%3A00144562" target="_blank" >RIV/00216224:14210/25:00144562 - isvavai.cz</a>
Result on the web
<a href="https://emc.english.ucsb.edu/event/performing-religion-in-early-modern-england/" target="_blank" >https://emc.english.ucsb.edu/event/performing-religion-in-early-modern-england/</a>
DOI - Digital Object Identifier
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Alternative languages
Result language
angličtina
Original language name
Catechesis, Piety, and Subversion : Czech Christological Ballads (1700–1950)
Original language description
While Marian themes dominated Czech broadside ballads, Christological motifs also played a significant role. The vast corpus of surviving songs offers a diverse range of perspectives on Jesus Christ, covering canonical and apocryphal narratives, pilgrimage traditions, liturgical practices, and mystical devotion. Some ballads, shaped by long-standing traditions, reflect forms of piety that evolved over centuries. This paper examines Christological ballads with dramatic potential, whether through documented performances or inherent theatricality. Even in cases where direct evidence of performance is lacking, many of these songs possess a strong dramatic quality-whether in their narrative structure (often centered on Passion or apocryphal themes), their formal elements (dialogue, character monologues), or a combination of both. Additionally, visual aspects such as typography, illustrations, and picture boards contribute to their performative nature. Finally, the paper explores the songs' function and reception. Positioned ambiguously between official and heterodox expression, these ballads both reinforced Catholic doctrine and, at times, contained subversive elements deemed blasphemous by the authorities. This tension reflects their fluid position within the broader media landscape, operating at the intersection of scripturality and orality.
Czech name
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Czech description
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Classification
Type
O - Miscellaneous
CEP classification
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OECD FORD branch
60206 - Specific literatures
Result continuities
Project
<a href="/en/project/GA25-15545S" target="_blank" >GA25-15545S: Christological Broadside Ballads in oral tradition</a><br>
Continuities
P - Projekt vyzkumu a vyvoje financovany z verejnych zdroju (s odkazem do CEP)
Others
Publication year
2025
Confidentiality
S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů