Carnival: Madness, Art, and Spirituality

Tuesday, March 4, 2025 From 6:00 PM To 8:00 PM Add to Calendar 2025-03-04 18:00:00 2025-03-04 20:00:00 Carnival: Madness, Art, and Spirituality Discover the rich history and cultural impact of carnival—from its roots as a 'festival of inversion' to its lasting influence on art, literature, and identity. Experience its evolution into the vibrant celebrations of today, and conclude the evening with a Mardi Gras-themed buffet, complete with drinks. The French Library, 53 Marlborough St, Boston, Massachusetts, United States America/New_York

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Step into the vibrant world of carnival and explore its fascinating history, art, and cultural significance with Dr. Tiphaine Guillabert-Madinier, a distinguished historian specializing in early modern European culture.

In this engaging talk, Dr. Guillabert-Madinier will uncover the origins of carnival as a “festival of inversion,” its evolution across Europe and beyond, and its influence on art, literature, and identity. From Bruegel and Bosch to Shakespeare and Cervantes, discover how carnival has inspired masterpieces and sparked debates about faith, morality, and joy.

Dr. Guillabert-Madinier will also delve into the enduring legacy of carnival, from its suppression by Puritans to its reinvention in modern celebrations like Mardi Gras, offering a unique perspective on its ties to European spirituality and identity.

The evening will conclude with a festive Mardi Gras-themed buffet, complete with drinks, to celebrate the spirit of carnival.

In person event in English

March 4th 2025

$25/$35

About the Speaker

Dr. Tiphaine Guillabert-Madinier specializes in the religious and popular culture history of early modern Europe, with a focus on Germany and France. Her publications include The Battle between Carnival and the Reformation (2021), which examines the nature and function of European carnival traditions, and Language and Faith at the Age of Reforms in Europe (2019).

A graduate of the prestigious École Normale Supérieure (ENS), Dr. Guillabert-Madinier also holds a master’s degree from the University of Vienna and completed her dissertation jointly at Sorbonne University and Neuchâtel University in 2017.

Currently an associate at Harvard’s Department of History, her research explores the regulation of carnival and devotional practices across Europe, adopting a transnational perspective on early modern history.

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