Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
and claims, like so many unusual festivities, to be based on some local historical
event. Another is the 'Elvis Presley Look-alike' Festival in Porthcawl in Wales,
although these types may be stretching the normal connotation of 'culture'.
14.3.6
Life-Styles
Most of the examples of this sixth major type of festival are of recent origin, such
as the gay parades and festivals which celebrate the life-styles of people once
marginalized or illegal. These life-style festivals enable participants to publically
acknowledge their distinctiveness and values and portray their pride in their dif-
ference, frequently through outrageous costumes. Thirty years ago such parades
caused consternation to people who did not share the views expressed. Today they
are generally accepted, and frequently solicited by cities and businesses that have
recognized the spending ability of gay groups, at least in most developed world
towns and cities. Other examples are the recent
Raves
associated with young adults
and teens, although they have elements of the protest and musical types of festive
event. These are still mainly late or all-night festive events that have not progressed
to the formality of a festival. They are usually organized in a clandestine fashion,
in an unoccupied or derelict location with information about the event circulated by
mobile phone or social media contacts.
144
Growth Through Time
Examples of all types of festivals can be found in most countries of the world, al-
though it is probable that temporal or seasonal festivals were the first type, followed
by religious and then political festivals which often incorporated aspects of the
older forms to bridge the gap between old and new ideas. In Europe most festivals
from the Middle Ages to the eighteenth century were organised and controlled by
the church or the rulers and their court. From the French revolution onwards, festi-
vals were increasingly organized to buttress the role and legitimacy of the state, and
the population became full participants in the spectacles, not just observers—par-
ticipants who were emotionally involved. Perhaps the apex of this trend occurred
in Nazi Germany in the 1930s where festivals were deliberately designed to be
vehicles of political persuasion, to convince the observers and participants of the
rise of a new and confident state, but with its dark and vicious side concealed. Yet
new religions and political regimes often re-interpreted older rituals and symbols in
festive activities to conform to the new beliefs, although the more explicit sacrificial
and sexual practices of previous centuries were removed by more prudish societ-
ies, such as those of Jewish-Christian-Muslim beliefs, whose morals forbade such
practices. However, the ribald and obscene behaviour that still surfaced in medieval
festivals in Christian Europe were always a concern to church authorities.
