Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
they evolved were passed on verbally through the generations, so our knowledge of
their construction is limited, although they were, perhaps, made easier to implement
in the past by dominant religious or political leaders with the control and wealth to
create such events.
An often forgotten part of the constructive process of successful festive events is
the ability to cope with problems that crop up before, during, and after the events,
especially the difficulties in dealing with the crowds that attend festive events. In
most countries and cities, permission has to be granted by the appropriate authori-
ties for the festive events, which may not always be forthcoming, certainly in totali-
tarian regimes. It is also necessary to create festival coping mechanisms to deal with
the crowds attracted to the events, which involve a range of issues, such as: effective
policing, the provision of waste disposal and sanitation facilities, as well as ambu-
lance and health services. Since all of these have to be on a temporary basis they
involve provision and extra costs. Many of the music festivals from the 1960s were
woefully unprepared in these areas and the resultant problems, especially those of
uncontrolled anti-social behaviour, even riots and deaths caused by overcrowding,
led many to be abandoned.
It has already been noted that the relaxation of many societal mores during the
time period of these events can lead to alternative festival behaviours that would not
be tolerated normally. But these openings can be a
societal deconstructive effect
by
providing the opportunity for a serious critique of the existing regime, controls, or
even injustices, such as to a particular group. Their communicative effect is mag-
nified by the large crowds often attracted to such events. One approach is seen in
the gay parades in which members openly flaunt their preferred sexuality with the
object of gaining support for their cause and especially of changes in discriminatory
laws. Other methods involve the use of controversial plays that might normally be
banned, or from the deliberate creation of demonstrations, workshops, topics that
deal with ways in which particular injustices in society exist and can be addressed.
One of the best examples is provided by the Essence festival in New Orleans which
started off as a celebration of Afro-American heritage but has increasingly become
an annual critique of the continuing injustices that still afflict many members of
this group, as well as providing workshops and exhibitions that help foster pride in
their heritage and show ways of resolving their problems. Such examples illustrate
how a festival can be used as a demonstration to publicize the existing problems
that affect the life of these minority groups in cities, with the object of breaking the
taboos or even laws that discriminate against them. This may be a deconstructive
societal function yet is one that leads to social solidarity within the group and may
help fight injustice.
14.5.8
Festival Impacts
The final dimension shown in Fig.
14.1
concerns the societal impacts of festivals
upon the host town or city. Like so many of the other dimensions, it can result in
alternative and often contradictory features, in this case, gains or losses. There is an
