Everyone has the right to a grave: How visitors at the German War Cemetery Ysselsteyn negotiate their perspective on the Second World War through their visitor experience

Abstract

This research explores how visitors at the German War Cemetery Ysselsteyn negotiated their perspective on the Second World War through their visitor experience. This is done through a review of relevant literature, the use of Lefebvre’s spatial triad as theoretical framework and careful analysis of in-depth interviews and unobtrusive observations. It proves that the three moments of the production of space (conceived, perceived and lived) shape the visitor experience at the cemetery through which the twenty participants negotiate their perspectives of the Second World War. However, these participants already agreed with Ysselsteyn’s message of reconciliation and understanding prior to their visit. This research offers insights into the understanding of cemetery tourism and spatiality, and contributes to the research of the dark tourism visitor experience.