Abstract: The subject of the research is the search for a definition of the concept 'historical reality' in the historical studies of the 19th - early 20th centuries. In his research Zuev analyzes such issues as the role of the historical identity in the history of the aforesaid period, parallel paths of history, history of art, and art studies. The author carries out a reconstruction of the history and historical reality in the art of mass holiday (based on the example of celebrating the French revolution). The author pays special attention to the art of mass holiday as the method of fixing the historical importance of the present. Zuev views the holiday as the way for the nation to understand its place and role in the stream of the historical time. In his research Zuev has also analyzed the history of applying phenomenological and ontological approaches to the search for 'historical reality' and the role of mass festive culture. The main conclusions of the research are the following: the author has discovered the relationship between the present and the past in terms of the historical reality. Zuev offers some kind of 'intention' for reconstruction and functioning of the historical 'past'. The author discovers a distinct relationship between the importance of historical events for contemporaries and development of the performance art as well as celebration of mass holidays.