Article
on the page is a contribution by Yemi
Ogunshola in a past issue of Good Times
International magazine. The realities there-in
are as apt today as they were when written.
European
Festivals:
from London Notting
Hill to Pamplona, Spain - Yemi
Ogunshola
Farewell
to the flesh
Every
carnival has its own style: its pulse, drumbeats
and vibrancy. Carnival is about festivity, the
celebration of life and the true depth of the
human spirit. From Rotterdam (Holland), to Chelmsford
and Reading (England) and down to San Fermin in
Spain, steelpans, drums and other instruments
mix with the songs of dancing people in a unique
art of the outdoor.
Originating from the Latin words carne
and vale (flesh and farewell), ironically,
carnivals are mostly about the beauty and spirit
of physical flesh. Everyone from royalty to the
not-so-exalted takes part.
In Europe, carnivals and festivals have a long
history, retaining their colourful costumes, cuisine,
music, mobility, bliss and the booze. Borrowing
from the strong history, beauty and grace of old
Africa, the London Notting Hill Carnival is traceable
to Trinidad, where the processions originated
around 1833. Since then, they have flourished
in Europe.
In the third week of September 2004, for instance,
Munich experienced the annual Oktoberfest. This
is one of the biggest festivals in the world,
a celebration of German food and beer. Attendees
consumed over 5 million 'steins' in the popular
Munich Beerhalls. Holland also hosted the 20th
Rotterdam Carnival, an event similar to the Rio
de Janeiro-type Notting Hill event. The second
biggest, on Monday, 23rd August it drew thousands
of people, all eager to express the Dutch spirit.
Turkey hosted Anzac at Gallipoli. As every year,
respect is paid to the memory of ancient ancestors.
These colourful and vibrant parties, sports, music
and dances take place all around Europe - from
Scotland (New Year's day in Edinburgh) to Liverpool
(Grand National at Aintree Racecourse). There
are fashion and ladies' hats at Royal Ascot in
England, concerts, parades, dances and fireworks
on St Patrick's Day in Dublin, Ireland. And, of
course, the running of bulls in Pamplona, Spain.
Spain has a long tradition of bull-fighting. The
Plaza de Toros (bull-ring) is always
a huge attraction as toreros (matadors)
engage one-to-two thousand-pound bulls with only
muletas (red capes) and lances. At
San Fermin, the booze really flows for the
running of the bulls in early July. The animals
are released from corrals to run for the bullrings
where they are killed by the toreros. High from
sangria and champagne, a few thrill-seekers run
ahead of the animals. Each year, people are gored
by the bulls, often seriously injured, sometimes
fatally. In July 2004 recorded injuries totalled
the same as 2003, slightly improved upon previous
years. This year, fifteen have died, including
an American youth.
In England, less dramatically, it was all fun
in August at the Chelmsford Festival. For the
first time, the festival was held in two venues
(Chelmsford and Staffordshire) where musicians
like Dido, Pink, Jamelia and Big Brother performed.
Over 100,000 people attended. The following weekend,
The Darkness, Green Day, Morrissey, 50 Cent, Ash,
Lost Prophet and other musicians entertained at
the Reading Festival.
By far the biggest carnival in England is held
at London's Notting Hill Gate. It's the mother
of all festivals. First introduced in 1964, almost
a million people, including tourists, now watch
the parade each year. And so it was over the two-day
August 2004 bank holiday when the carnival celebrated
its 40th year. With the theme of Freedom and Justice,
the costumes, colour, calypso, and Caribbean spirit
were as abundant as ever.
Festivals, carnivals, and similar events are all
about the thrill. For us all, in Europe at least,
they are about carne vale - 'farewell to the flesh',
as we dwell on the true spirit of humankind.
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