Solidarity, uncertainty or fear? Emotional responses to flags and flag-waving at an international youth camp

Hanne Tange.  2025

Abstract

The article examines the relationship between national flags, actors’ emotional responses and the environment in which the flagging occurs. Building on a conceptual framework composed of the elements emotion, object, site and knowledge, the author demonstrates through an analysis of four incidents observed at a youth camp how the meanings attributed to specific groups and their symbols within Danish media and society generate in spectators a sense of solidarity uncertainty and possibly fear. The research draws attention to the significance of the emotional dimension to intercultural encounters, as well as the role of the socio-spatial environment in producing emotion.

Relevance to Scouting

The case being presented in the article stems from a national jamboree in Denmark Topic might more correctly be described as "interculturality".