From Popular Expression to Public Spectacle: History and Visual Testimonies of the Carnaval de Barranquilla in the XX and XXI Centuries

This dissertation presents the Carnaval de Barranquilla as a space for the safeguarding of rich cultural traditions despite the fact that it has been transformed from popular carnival into a comercial spectacle. The study traces the organizational aspect of the celebration throughout the twentieth century and analyzes carnival parades as historical testimonies through the use of photographs as historical documents. The research concludes that the organization that has managed carnival for the last twenty years has provided a participatory way to administer the festivities' official program and demonstrates that photographs provide valuable information not only on the history of the celebration, but also on the economic, political, social and cultural context in which carnival occurs.