Studia Ethnologica Pragensia (Dec 2018)
The 2012 phenomenon in South-West France
Abstract
The 2012 phenomenon is discussed, especially its development in The Two Rennes and Bugarach Area in South-West France. First the ideas and beliefs of the “alternative seekers” and the growth of an expectation of spiritual renewal on 21st December 2012 are presented; together with the transformation of this expectation into the prediction of a total disaster and especially the treatment of this prediction as an “entertaining” subject in the mainstream. Later the cluster of myths and beliefs that has grown since the 1950s around Rennes-le-Château and inspired the Da Vinci Code (2003) is discussed, together with the growth of personal development workshops linked to the sacralized Pic of Bugarach nearby, that have brought an exceptional concentration of alternative seekers in this area. Finally, the article presents the situation’s evolution in the last days of 2012 in Bugarach, marked by the mobilization of the authorities, a massive presence of the media and the almost total absence of the expected “visionaries”. Prospective remarks will be presented to conclude
