Major Event and Festival Impacts

1. Major Event and Festival Impacts Seminar 11: Carnival

2. Commodification of Carnival? Whilst carnivals were once seen to be events ‘for the people’ it appears that in recent years they have become increasingly commercialised and commodified. Critically discuss this assertion using relevant examples to highlight the points that you make. You should refer to the various impacts and rationale behind hosting/investing in such events which have been discussed throughout the module.

3. Order and Disorder • The notion of the carnivalesque is heavily associated with ideas of disorder and the reversal of hierarchy however, in modern times we see the increasingly rationalisation of such events. Critically discuss why this occurs and the positive and negative impacts which it has upon the even experience

4. Contested Identities • Although carnival is seen to be an event for everyone, on further examination it can be seen that many divisions and contestations of identity occur in relation to gender, race and social class. • Carnival has at times been criticised for being sexually exploitative in its nature – discuss this contention • What role do you think carnival has to play in terms of race? • Do you think social divides still occur within events such as carnival?