The Other Side of Carnival
[ HIDE TEXT ][ SHOW TEXT ]“I have never taken part in the parade itself, but when I watch it on TV, at least I get to see the costumes that I made. In those moments, I feel that, somehow, I’m also there.”
–Carla Alves, 20 years old, costume and props artisan.
“I love to work during the carnival, cause I can make some extra money and have fun at the same time”, –Elza, 53 years old, street vendor.
As usual, the annual “Carnival” celebration landed in Brazil and images from the celebration were highlighted in medias across the world. The color, the music and the life were essential to injecting some joy to the usual “parade” of wars, deaths and disasters.
Despite the profusion of media attention, many people who gave decisive contributions to the Carnival didn’t receive any merit, notice or credit. Many workers and participants who gave themselves 24/7 for several months were completely invisible in the representations of the event.
Artisans, sculptors, builders, seamstresses, cleaners, street vendors, security guards, parade stewards, musicians, dancers and many other workers take a significant part in the show yet never appear to the outside world.