One shirt, one faith: the magic of a collective ritual

Free conference open to the public.

Starting from the experience of fans during sports matches, the discussion will explore whether sports are becoming the "religion of the 21st century." Religious metaphors are also present in media discourse: sports journalists, for example, speak of the "white-and-blue faith" to describe allegiance to a club. The rink can thus become the "temple" of the team and its "rituals." But what role does this "collective ritual" play in society? What are the implications of belonging to a team for cultural identity? To address these questions, anthropological and sociological perspectives on sports and rituals will be explored. The links between sports, faith/spirituality, rituals, and identity will be analyzed. It will show how sports and the passion for one’s team can be a source of a collective identity for human beings.

Born to a father from Geneva and a mother from Dalpe, Alessandra Maigre (Fransioli) studied theology and philosophy at the Universities of Geneva, Lausanne, Zurich, and Fribourg, where she wrote her doctoral thesis on the relationship between sports and spirituality and the spiritual accompaniment of elite athletes. She currently teaches theology at the University of Fribourg, manages Academic Press in Fribourg, and serves as a military chaplain. She has also been playing ice hockey for over 20 years in the Swiss Women’s Hockey League (SWHL).

Following the conference, by registration:
guided tour of the Gottardo Arena, a three-course dinner, and screening of the SC Rapperswil-Jona vs. HC Ambrì-Piotta game.

CHF 35.- (drinks not included)
Registration at info@museodileventina.ch or 091 864 25 22.