City University of New York (CUNY) CUNY Academic Works All Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects 6-2014 Cologne Carnival's "Alternative" Stunksitzung: Carnivalization? Meta-Carnival? Or Bakhtinian Restoration? Erik Abbott Graduate Center, City University of New York How does access to this work benefit ou?y Let us know! More information about this work at: https://academicworks.cuny.edu/gc_etds/157 Discover additional works at: https://academicworks.cuny.edu This work is made publicly available by the City University of New York (CUNY). Contact:
[email protected] COLOGNE CARNIVAL’S 'ALTERNATIVE' STUNKSITZUNG: CARNIVALIZATION? META-CARNIVAL? OR BAKHTINIAN RESTORATION? by ERIK ABBOTT A dissertation submitted to the Graduate Faculty in Theatre in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, The City University of New York 2014 © 2014 ERIK ABBOTT All Rights Reserved ii This manuscript has been read and accepted for the Graduate Faculty in Theatre in satisfaction of the dissertation requirement for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Marvin Carlson _________________________ ________________________________________ Date Chair of Examining Committee Jean Graham-Jones __________________________ ________________________________________ Date Executive Officer Frank Hentschker Supervisory Committee THE CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK iii Abstract COLOGNE CARNIVAL’S 'ALTERNATIVE' STUNKSITZUNG: CARNIVALIZATION? META-CARNIVAL? OR BAKHTINIAN RESTORATION? by ERIK ABBOTT Advisor: Professor Marvin Carlson In the 1820s, Carnival in Cologne, Germany, underwent a series of reforms, ostensibly to bring the festival back to the people. Among the traditions that developed was the Sitzung, a theatrical variety-show event, with music, comic speeches and sketches, dance troupes, and various additional Carnival-related entertainments.