LARC Fellow Dr. Hendrik Kraay will present research on the early history of Brazil's carnival as part of the Calgary Association of Lifelong Learners (CALL) Latin American Issues series on Tuesday Jan 17 1:30-3pm at the Rosedale Community Hall 901 - 11 Ave NW. Free and open to the public.
For information on the partnership between CALL and LARC, visit larc.ucalgary.ca/projects or CALL.
Summary: Among other things, Brazil is known today for its elaborate carnival celebrations. This was not always the case and, in this presentation, Dr. Hendrik Kraay will discuss his research on the nineteenth-century history of pre-Lenten celebrations in Brazil. His main focus will be the criticisms of entrudo, the old Portuguese custom of water fights and other practical jokes, and their gradual substitution by what was known as carnaval (parading and masked balls). He will show how these cultural conflicts were very serious business to Brazilians for they reflected the larger issues of the day.
