Description
Castells and Television
Book Summary
In this work, Santi Suárez-Baldris explores the complex relationship between traditional popular culture, exemplified by the world of the "castells" (human towers), and the emergence of television as a mass media outlet. The author analyzes how television entertainment has transformed the space previously occupied by festivals and direct participatory activities, offering a critical reflection on the coexistence of tradition and modernity. An essential book for understanding the evolution of popular culture in the audiovisual era.
What is it about?
The book addresses the intersection between two cultural realities: on one hand, popular culture, understood as the set of festive and communal practices rooted in tradition; on the other, television as the hegemonic means of social communication. The author examines how television, with its ability to generate spectacle and disseminate mass culture, has progressively occupied a space that was previously the domain of festivals and direct community participation. Through the example of the "castells," one of the most emblematic manifestations of Catalan popular culture, the changes in the perception, dissemination, and experience of these traditions are analyzed within a context of increasing mediatization.
Main Topics
- Transformation of popular culture due to the influence of mass media.
- Relationship between traditional festivals and television entertainment.
- The role of television in the dissemination and reinterpretation of cultural practices.
- Analysis of the "casteller" world as a case study of participatory culture.
- Impact of mass culture on community and festive activities.
Who is it recommended for?
This book is recommended for scholars and enthusiasts of Catalan popular culture, especially the "casteller" world, as well as for professionals and students of audiovisual communication, sociology, and anthropology. It is also of interest to readers who wish to reflect on how mass media transforms traditions and citizen participation in cultural life.
What this book offers
- A pioneering analysis of the coexistence between festive tradition and television in Catalonia.
- Keys to understanding how popular culture adapts to new media formats.
- A critical reflection on the loss of direct participation in favor of spectacle.
- A detailed study of the "casteller" case as an example of cultural resistance and transformation.
Technical Sheet
- Author: Santi Suárez-Baldris
- Publisher: Eumo Editorial SAU
- Language: Catalan
- Topic: Popular culture, television, and society
- Collection: L’aixecador
- Binding: Paperback
- Publication date: July 1998
- Number of pages: 208
- Weight: 514 g
Editorial Review
This work offers a solid and well-documented approach to an under-explored topic: the influence of television on manifestations of popular culture. The author combines academic rigor with accessible writing, making it suitable for both specialists and readers interested in the debate between tradition and modernity. Although the publication date may mean some media references are outdated, its analytical approach remains relevant for understanding current cultural processes.