Why do we treat modern celebrities like medieval saints?
In short: This video examines the surprising parallels between the way we worship contemporary icons and the historical practice of honoring holy figures. It reveals that the impulse to venerate remains a powerful force in 21st-century life, often manifesting in ways that mirror ancient traditions.
The exhibition at the British Museum draws a direct line between the medieval practice of relic devotion and our current obsession with famous figures. By analyzing how society treats the bodies and remnants of celebrities today, the curators suggest that our modern secular culture is not as far removed from the Middle Ages as we might assume.
The exhibition, which concluded on 9 October 2011, invited visitors to reconsider the nature of devotion. It highlights that the human need to elevate individuals to a status of reverence is a persistent trait that transcends time and religious boundaries.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: A look at modern veneration, part of Treasures of Heaven at the British Museum
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