Do we know how to party yet?

Carnival obliges, let’s celebrate the joy of being able to freely share the happiness of being together and rediscover the pleasure of popular rejoicing after two years of abstinence imposed by the epidemic. Mardi Gras or not, do we still know how to celebrate, dance and feast, sometimes to excess? author of For a party. For the sociology of joy*, sociologist Philip Steiner is convinced.

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Premeditated pleasures

Instincts, parties? Not organized, parades, fairs and parties? Starting from nothing and nowhere, these festivities that enchant us and seemingly take us freely into the vortex of pleasures. Of course no. “Deciding on a party means wanting something to happen. But contrary to the doxa that links celebration and spontaneity, celebrations are carefully planned. Whether private or public, they require a lot of organization. For some, months ago,” recalls Philip Steiner.

According to his study of popular celebrations, particularly the Bayonne celebrations (which have taken place every July since 1934, with the only interruptions of two years of German occupation and the coronavirus), the academic identified four elements to consider: in the definition of party. “There must be an inviting force, a place, a date and an invited force. The guests, of course, are the focal point. In order for the party to succeed, there must be a crowd. Partying is a shared pleasure that requires work upstream.

Deciding on a party means making something happen

Philip Steiner

An excuse to meet people, share memories on social networks, say “Hey, do you remember” between participants? or “I was there” to brag, a festive event is an opportunity to discover and discover yourself. “We are happy to see people, to be in motion, even if it means sometimes getting into a hand-to-hand fight that takes you, a happy debauchery where we talk to each other, smile to each other. We exchange drinks, maybe do “naughty”.

Laughter, singing, crying, music, partying is a bubble of noise that surrounds us. “It participates in increasing the vital tone, observes Philip Steiner. Great social ideals have always been created during these gatherings, especially during religious festivals or political meetings.

revenge of life

“We still want to live in society and experience joy,” says the sociologist. However, the coronavirus had turned this “relative machine into a poisoned machine”. He adds: “Instead of participating in public life, the party was no longer intended as a communication with others, but a selfish violation of the rules of public health. It shattered the idea of ​​welcome, tranquility and common life. When the epidemic receded, the festivities resumed as before. After the chaos of series cancellations in 2020 and 2021, including economic ones, festivals and cultural gatherings have regained their momentum. More than 2,500 per year in France. Too much, some say. Essayist Philip Murray (who died in 2006) once called modern man homo festivus for his obsession with the desire to have fun.

Celebrating isn’t forgetting, it’s an opportunity to put the tragic aside for a moment

Philip Steiner

With all his might, Philippe Steiner disagrees with the idea of ​​this pejorative qualification, which is “supposed to represent the stupidity of French society”. For he rebels against ‘this current of thought which tends to accept the tragic vision of Saint Augustine and Pascal, according to which serious life is directed towards the beyond and death. Everything else is just fun so you don’t have to think about it.

Should the premonition of our certain end prevent us from enjoying ourselves? In these times of restrictions and war at our door, shall we put a soft pedal to our bochanalia? “No way,” says Philip Steiner. Celebrating is not forgetting, it is an opportunity to express our exaltation and put the tragic aside for a moment. Even knowing we’ll find him when the party’s over…”

* PUF publications, 388 pages, 23 euros. In bookstores from February 22.