Leisure during war: The case of gallipoli (The Dardanelles War of 1915 in WWI)

Abstract

Leisure has been a phenomenon throughout history. However, there are some constraints that keep people from engaging in meaningful and beneficial leisure pursuits. One needs to be free of personal, physical and social constraints to be able to experience leisure. As conceptualised by Khaldun and Maslow, there are more basic needs that human beings need to attain before pursuing leisure needs: leisure would not be of concern unless these needs were met. War, as a phenomenon in human life in the past and present, poses several special and severe constraints, especially fear of safety and security that can keep people away from leisure. However, there is evidence that, even during war time, people still pursue leisure. Leisure experiences during the Dardanelles War of 1915 are displayed as a case in point. To this end, various books with relevant historical and social content are reviewed and photographs (pictorial displays) are presented from these books as well as other photographs from this period. The most significant result is the intriguing question the findings leave about leisure's supposed hierarchical position that is usually postulated to come after basic needs. Detailed interpretation and implications for modern societies are explored.