The carnivalesque and event evolution: a study of the Beltane Fire Festival. Issue 1 (2nd January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Matheson, Catherine M.; Tinsley, Ross
• Is Part Of: Leisure studies. Volume 35:Issue 1(2016)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 27
• Publication Date: 2016-01-02
• Subjects: carnivalesque -- festival -- regulation -- evolution; Leisure -- Periodicals; Recreation -- Periodicals; 306.4805
• DOI: 10.1080/02614367.2014.962591
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0261-4367

Abstract

Abstract : This paper centres on the Beltane Fire Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland. The objectives are to: first, identify the stages of the festival's evolution and their respective characteristics; second, distinguish features corresponding to the carnivalesque; and, finally, examine the changes in event evolution, particularly regulatory interventions, and their effect. A qualitative approach comprising interviews with internal and external festival stakeholders was utilised. It is argued that there are three stages in the festival's evolution: revival and early development; development and regulation; and, maturation. The characteristics of these evolutionary stages are identified. As the festival has developed and been subject to increasing regulation, features of the carnivalesque have been reduced.