Carnival production in escolas de samba: an essay inspired by the discussion on cultural economics

Abstract

Carnival has an outstanding presence in the Brazilian cultural landscape and economy, due to its historical presence, its meaning specially in large towns – where the escolas de samba prepare their show during several months, motivated by disputes in the official parades – , the social involvement in many communities and the huge resources employed. The article looks at a specific question concerning this subject: the production of the Carnival show of Protegidos da Princesa, the oldest escola de samba of Florianópolis. The text is mostly based on field research carried out at Protegidos da Princesa in the second semester of 2014. The segments of the production chain are object of detailed description, and some social and economic effects of the parade preparation, in the communities involved, are looked upon and discussed.