Podcast blurb: The anthropology of events is interested in the question ‘Why?’. Why do societies celebrate? With the potential to inform the operational ‘how’ of event management and production, this focus on the reasons and purposes of events enables to dig deeper into the social, cultural and political meanings of events. Linking social scientific and philosophical debates with the phenomenon of events, the anthropology of events opens important perspectives to understand societies through the ways gatherings, celebrations and commemorations are taking place.

Barbara’s bio: Dr Barbara Grabher works as Lecturer in Event Studies at the University of Brighton, UK. As a trained Anthropologist with a specialisation in Gender Studies, her research sits within the field of Critical Event Studies. In her research, she engages with event-based regeneration processes such as the UK City of Culture, European Capital of Culture and Eurovision Song Contest. She is the author of the monograph ‘Doing Gender in Events: Feminist Perspectives in Critical Event Studies’ (Routledge, 2022) and co-author of the forthcoming edited volume ‘Events and Infrastructures: Critical Interrogations’ (Routledge, planned publication 2024).

Further reading and resources:

Falassi, A. (1987). Time out of time: Essays on the festival. University of New Mexico Press.

Routledge Critical Event Studies Book Series – Editors: Prof David McGillivray and Prof Rebecca Finkel

Journal of Festive Studies – Lead Journal Editors: Associate Professor Aurélie Godet and Dr Isabel Machado