Port communities on both sides of the Atlantic: neighbourhood life and public festivities in the sailortowns of Antwerp and Buenos Aires, c.1880–1930
Loockx, K.; Caruso, L. (2025). Port communities on both sides of the Atlantic: neighbourhood life and public festivities in the sailortowns of Antwerp and Buenos Aires, c.1880–1930. Social History 50(4): 406-426. https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/03071022.2025.2545073
In: Social History. Routledge: Abingdon. ISSN 0307-1022; e-ISSN 1470-1200, more
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| Author keywords |
Sailorrtown; Antwerp; Buenos Aires; public festivities; nineteenth century; twentieth century: port culture |
| Authors | | Top |
- Loockx, K., more
- Caruso, L.
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| Abstract |
At the intersection of maritime and sociocultural history, this article offers a global and connected perspective on local histories by focusing on the social construction of internatiogal port districts, commonly referred to as sailortowns in the literature, at the turn of the twentieth century. It explores perceptions, prejudices and daily life, emphasising key elements such as networks of associations, social ties, solidarity and interactions between residents and transients. By adopting this approach, the article departs from the often sensationalised and one-dimensional portrayals of port districts by contemporary observers. It underscores that life in sailortowns was multilayered, with each port district exhibiting its own unique dynamics and history. Additionally, a north–south perspective bridges two historiographies that rarely engage with each other. |
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