Performative experiential learning strategies: reenacting the historical, enacting the everyday

A study demonstrates the pedagogical potential of two distinct performative strategies—reenactment and public art intervention—to foster dialogue about historical events and contemporary issues. The research found that reenacting a specific historical event, such as the 1941 massacre in Odessa, facilitated focused discussions on individual biographies, while a public performance using nuclear bunker beds in Regensburg's Old Town sparked diverse interpretations among passers-by, addressing themes like comfort, safety, and privacy. Both approaches reveal the challenges and rewards of engaging with strangers, offering new perspectives on the past and present through dialogue.

Duijzings, G., Lange, F., & Walther, E.-M. (2021). Performative experiential learning strategies: reenacting the historical, enacting the everyday. Engaging with Historical Traumas, 217–232. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003046875-15-21