This project focuses on events in the public space of the city, under the open sky. After the suppression of the "Spring of Nations" in 1848 and until the adoption of the 1867 constitution, the only legal avenues for public expression were religious rituals and imperial celebrations. Going out into the streets to express one's opinion without it automatically being considered a rebellion was still a novelty.
Over time, the format of these events changed. Initially "viches" were common as gatherings of activists where each participant could be registered and controlled. Then political demonstrations and rallies gained popularity, where individuals could get lost in the crowd. ЗThe format of the meetings changed, but the term "viche" came to be used for both types of events: chamber and mass gatherings. This, in turn, meant that participation in politics could be anonymous, and participants could behave more radically and less law-abiding.
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