Circus and Carnival Studies

Circus and Carnival Studies is an academic field that explores the history, culture, arts, and social impact of circuses and carnivals worldwide. It examines how these entertainment forms reflect societal values, economic factors, and cultural identities across different periods and regions. Scholars analyze aspects like performance traditions, visual arts, audience interactions, and the symbolism embedded in these spectacles. This field helps us understand the evolution of popular entertainment and its significance as a mirror of cultural change, highlighting how circuses and carnivals influence and reflect social dynamics, collective memory, and identity.