"Long Live Saint John's Fete!" The Affective and Aesthetic Dimensions in Organizing Popular Parties

Abstract

Context: Inspired by the documentary Viva São João, the case presents the engagement of Dona Benta, a community leader in the city of Exu, in three collective moments that constitute the organization of the São João festival: (1) the cycle of planting, cultivating and harvesting maize for preparing typical foods; (2) community games; (3) and the religious, sacred and mystical celebrations of Saint Anthony, Saint John the Baptist and Saint Peter. Dilemma: Dona Benta and her friends are faced with the challenges of organizing the São João festival. The central challenge is the lack of interest and disengagement of people in the community in organizing the festival, especially at a time marked by the end of the Covid-19 pandemic. Case Closing: The expectation is that the June festivities can be understood as organizations, based on Studies Based on Practice, highlighting the aesthetic and affective elements that make up this phenomenon.