TV—MIRROR: THE EXAMPLE OF CARNIVAL IN TURČIŠĆE

Abstract

Three examples of filming the Carnival in the village of Turčišće (NW Croatig) are analysed. Two films were produced by TV-Zagreb (1968; 1984) and the third (1968) was made by two ethnologists for documentary purposes. The author discusses the documentary qualities of these films relevant to ethnological analysis of customs. She demonsirates how the iraditional carnival pattern in Turdiiée is realised differently in various contexts. ‘Special consideration is given fo the film made in 1984. The »Carnival« per- formed for TV three weeks before the carnival period in 1984 is compared to the Carnival observed in Turčišče that year, as well as during the carnival period in 1985. : In the course of last two decades, the Carnival in Turčišće — realised in its traditional conventional context, ie. in the village and for the village inhabitants has been reduced. Only some segments of the carnival pattern are still realised regulary. Yet, when they were motivated by TV-filming, Turčišćans presented the ideal version of their traditicnal Carnival, in its entirety, ie. the Carnival as it was experienced from the end of the 18th century till 1950’s. Using the rare opportunity to participate in creation of a TV-pregramm, Turčišćans presented their cultural particularity in the richest, most atiractive way, thus confirming their cultural identity in the contemporary world of mass-media.