At fairs represent a sociocultural and economic phenomenon arising from the clusters of people and tents, where various types of products on the streets (food, clothing, shoes, home accessories, handicrafts, etc.), with the aim of offering goods at lower prices.
Origin and Development of Fairs
Its origin is uncertain, although historians affirm the presence of this social event since 500 BC. a., in some ancient civilizations, such as Phoenician, Greek, Roman, Arab.
Later, at the end of the Middle Ages (between the 11th and 14th centuries), the burgos (medieval walled cities) represented the place of origin of the medieval fairs, so that they developed from the intensification of trade from the 11th century onwards, and later with the emergence of the bourgeoisie and population growth. Note that, previously, the villages represented the religious and military centers, owned by the feudal lords.
Therefore, the fairs developed and this phenomenon exists until today, in all parts of the world. In the meantime, note that even with the appearance of stores, supermarkets and malls, fairs continue to color the small and large cities of the world, reaffirming one of the oldest traditions of the men.
The term “fair” derives from the Latin “vacation” and means, holy day, holiday or day of rest, since the merchants, concerned with selling the surplus of production, gathered together close to the Churches on Sundays (Lord's Day) to market their products, as they were the places that had the greatest flow of people.
Medieval Fairs
Medieval fairs arose with the decline of the feudal system in the Middle Ages and the development of the villages, named after the medieval cities that previously belonged to the feudal lords and, with the passage of time and the emergence of a new social class, the bourgeoisie, they developed during the period. called Rebirth.
From the decay of the feudal system, Europe went through several social, cultural, economic and political transformations. O urban-commercial renaissance, intensified by the Crusades, the opening of the Mediterranean Sea, the introduction of currency (base of exchange) and the emergence of new routes maritime-commercial, especially of the spices from the Orient, were the main characteristics of the beginning of the Modern Era, besides of vision Humanist that dawned in Europe from the 14th century onwards.
Indeed, the end of the Middle Ages (denoted by the Humanists as “Age of darkness”, in relation to the obscurantism of the time), the Theocentric view (God at the center of the Universe) was replaced by the Anthropocentric vision (man at the center of the world), thus awakening a new mentality in the European population.
In such a way, the feudal system, based mainly on exchange, was replaced by the commercialization of products, since the surplus production of the fiefs, which increasingly suffered from the flight of workers, began to be used to sale.
These places for the commercialization of products within the villages were called “free fairs”, where the most varied products were displayed for sale. Among the main medieval fairs are those in Champagne, France and Flanders, Belgium.
Therefore, with the demographic growth and the rural exodus to the burgos (medieval cities), trade was intensified (by the creation of guilds and corporations of trade) and consolidated (primitive capitalist system), as well as giving rise to a new social class, concerned with profit and political participation: the bourgeoisie.
Indeed, open fairs have become an important commercial distribution channel as well as a form of popular communication, being characterized by the periodic meeting of people who gathered in some predetermined place in the city (burgos), in order to sell their products to the population or even perform exchanges.
To know more: Rebirth and Humanism
Types of Fairs
Over time, the “Fair” concept has expanded and currently there are several types of fairs around the world, for example, thematic fairs:
- Antiques Fair
- animal fair
- Organic fair
- wine fair
- Hippie Fair
- Trade fair
- Literary Fair
Fairs in Brazil
In Brazil, fairs have existed since the time of colonization, a social event that promoted the development of the country's internal economy. Currently, it is very common in Brazilian cities for fairs to be held once a week in predetermined locations.
Among the largest and most traditional fairs in the country, the following deserve mention: the largest open fair in Brazil and Latin America called “View-the-Weight”, which occurs since the 17th century, in the city of Belém, Pará; and the Caruaru Fair, in Pernambuco, one of the biggest open-air fairs in Brazil, started at the end of the 18th century. Both were considered of great historical importance, and for that reason, nominated by the National Historical and Artistic Heritage Institute (IPHAN), Brazil's intangible heritage.
