Shows, Selves, and Solidarity: Ethnic Identity and Cultural Spectacles in Canada.

The purpose of this paper is to consider four possible roles cultural spectacles such as Winnipeg's Folklorama and Toronto's Caravan might play in ethnic identity in contemporary Canada. First, ethno-cultural spectacles might represent "alternative economies of status." Such events create their own temporary power microcosms in which the rules that govern society the rest of the year are suspended and a different system of social status and prestige comes into effect in which the relative newcomer might be better situated. Second, the very act of organizing an ethnic cultural spectacle ensures that ethnic identity per se will remain a salient issue for the foreseeable future. Third, festivals allow members of ethnic minorities to determine or influence the ways they will be understood, in a general sense, by outsiders. As well, because cultural spectacles allow minority groups to depict the religions with which they are associated, these events represent opportunities to disabuse outsiders of erroneous views they might have about a particular religion. Fourth, cultural spectacles also represent local efforts to reinterpret the style and format of commercialized (and largely American) public events. This paper also outlines several policy-related recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]