Over the past few days, Celestialkarnevalen has seen a vibrant mix of all kinds of carnival-goers. Some are getting to experience the magic of the carnival for the very first time, while others loyally return every four years to relive the joy of this three-day spectacle. Lundagård interviewed some of the carnival’s most seasoned visitors.
The ‘68 generation – Erik Aurelius, 80, and Eva Aurelius, 77
On our round about the festival grounds, we run into Erik and Eva, who both studied in Lund when they were younger. Now, they’re happily married, and enjoying their retirement. Eva remembers the 1970 Maximalkarneval from her student days, but says she didn’t attend, as she was part of the so-called ‘68-generation, a primarily left-wing movement that gained political traction throughout the 1970s and was anti-establishment at its core.
Although they both studied in the same turbulent era, Erik remembers the carnival differently, emphasizing that he “wasn’t a revolutionary”. While Eva recalls the 1970 carnival as stripped-down in comparison to earlier years, Erik recalls an edition filled with regular carnival fun. Both studied in Lund, and together they moved back to the city after retiring. Specifically, Erik recalls the 1970s Maximalkarneval, and the spex (sketches) titled ‘Lingelund’, which has become a must-visit for him when he returns to the carnival.
The conversation brings back fond memories of student life in the turbulent 70s, when anti-establishment sentiments grew quickly and political unrest caused global disturbances, like the 1974 oil crisis. Erik’s eyes light up when he remembers the revyn of the 1974 Orientalkarneval:
– “Blankettvisan” [the application-form-song] is incredible. Among other things it referred to the oil crisis of February 1974.
Erik frowns in concentration as he enthusiastically tries to recall the lyrics. Although he hesitates momentarily here and there, the verses come out with an ease that demonstrates how Lundakarnevalen transcends age, and can create memories that will last a lifetime.
Blankettvisan was written by Ton Uddén, a carnival legend that wrote many of the satirical student theatre-songs, and unfortunately passed away a year ago. The couple remembers him fondly. After we finished up the interview, we slowly walked off, but not a minute later Erik tapped us on the shoulder again. He proudly declared that he remembered the beginning of the song, which he then sang to us, smiling broadly.
Lennart Jonson, 89
Lennart is sitting on his walker at the edge of the tumultuous carnival terrain, calmly enjoying the shade, when we approach him. In our search for true carnival loyalists, it seemed we had struck gold: Lennart has attended every single carnival since he was twelve years old. Celestialkarnevalen is his twentieth one – a true carnival veteran. To not disturb him for too long, we keep our chat with him very brief. His favorite thing about the carnival, though?
– I think the train is my favorite part. They’ve got all the student orchestras.
Anders Wit, 70, and Vanja Andersson, 69
While we only stumbled upon the couple on their second-ever visit to Lundakarnevalen, Anders Wit and Vanja Andersson were more than happy to attend this edition. Last time, they only saw the carnival parade. This year, the pleasant and amicable atmosphere stands out to them:
– There were a lot of people, but it still went smoothly. There was no fuss, or anything like that. So it felt like there was a very nice atmosphere, Anders remarks.
As the years pass, they’ve seen that the carnival continues to grow:
– The amount of people seems to be a lot more this year, I was here yesterday too. I thought it was great. It feels like there are more people, like it has become a lot bigger. Maybe the carnival gets bigger every year, Anders suggests.
Their daughter is part of one of the carnival’s many shows, and today, the couple has tickets to see her perform.
Photo: Bim Hellström.
Monica Schmidt, 81
Right outside the office, our reporters ran into Monica, a Lund native who’s been to nineteen carnival editions, and has thus seen the carnival evolve throughout the course of the years.
– The first time I remember, I was probably nine. It was because my dad had a shop on Mårtenstorget, so that’s why us kids were always there when the carnival was taking place.
While her own memories of earlier carnival editions faded with time, Monica’s daughter partakes in this year’s carnival parade. Watching the procession go by is her favorite thing.
– But unfortunately, it gets worse every year. Because the information on the wagons isn’t very clear. And there were many of my age-group sitting next to me who thought the same, Monica stated.
So before, it was easier to understand their messages?
– Yes, it was much, much easier. In a way, information disappears in today’s society. It’s not as informative as it used to be.
Photo: Bim Hellström.
Göran Eckerwall, 70
Göran is accompanied by his family at Barnevalen when we sit down to chat with him. A retired doctor, Göran first joined the carnival in 1978, where he was a part of the parade, and he’s attended every carnival since then. For his very first edition, he helped to build the parade wagon together with other carnivalists, and the parade took center stage in the carnival festivities. He points out that over the years, the carnival has evolved, now spanning beyond spex and kabarén with a circus, a movie, and many other acts and performances. Consequently, he points out that the carnival has continued to attract an ever-increasing amount of visitors.
– If you have friends in Sweden, they’ll come here. It is a meeting place without having to decide anything.
Now, Göran comes to the carnival with his children and grandchildren, which has added a new dimension to his carnival experience. And although the nature of his carnival visits has changed throughout the years, it has happily remained a place for spontaneous meetings with old colleagues.
