The Experience of the Last Twenty Years: a Comparative Analysis of the Olympic Ceremonies

Abstract

From an antropological point of view, the article presents a reflection on the cultural significance of the Olympic Games. The olimpic ceremonies ara a privilaged scene in which to analyse the process of cultural exchange at an international level. In this sense, the author expands a comparative model which allows the analizise of the different cultures which appear at 60th olympic ceremonies. With this in mind, the olympics can be undesrtood as a system of multiple representation which incorporates elements of ritual, sport, festivals and spectacle. From all this categories the author chooses that of festival with which to develop his comparative model, having already discussed the key elements of diversions, democracy, egalitarianism and participation, essential in order to overcome the cultural differences. The author critically compares the ceremonies of Los Angeles and Seul, giving some indications on what could happen in Barcelona. The olympic ceremonies of 1992 face the task of representing the new world order and the position of Spain in a United Europe, as well as the relation between the spanisb State, Catalonia and Barcelona.