Anyone who thinks that a festival visit is typical for modern, hedonistic people is wrong. In almost all times and cultures, people occasionally went crazy in groups. As early as 400 BC, in the time of the ancient Greeks, large parties were held in Athens, says cultural historian Floris Meens of Radboud University. “Once in a while you left your bubble. There were about 120 days per year with activities such as music, poetry, theatre, dance and sports. Rituals were also held to appease the gods and to guide society and social life in the right direction.”
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