FEATURES OF AFFORDANCE OF CONTEMPLATION OF THE SUNRISE FOR TOURISTS IN ARKAIM

This study analyzes sunrise watching as a separate activity within the framework of tourism in Arkaim. The relevance of the study is related to the heterogeneity of tourism in Arkaim, which refers to both natural (ecological) tourism, educational tourism, and often becomes a destination for fans of esoteric tourism. Watching the sunrise can also be considered as an activity with esoteric motivation due to the popularity of the solstice festival in Arkaim. The purpose of the study is to identify a possible connection between interest in watching the sunrise and the esoteric factor using the example of a separate category of visitors. The study is based on the results of a survey of Arkaim visitors in 2023, the sample consisted of 218 respondents who noted “the opportunity to meet the sunrise in the steppe” as an attractive activity. When interpreting the survey results, we used studies of the connection between man and nature, possible psychological effects acquired in the context of such interaction, and the theory of affordances of space (G. Heft). During analyzing the survey, it was revealed that among the visitors who noted watching the sunrise as an attractive activity, there is no clearconnection with esoteric practices when visiting Arkaim. At the same time, most of the visitors in the sample have a need for a spiritual interpretation of the space of Arkaim.