Lomography

The Funfair and Its Nomad Community (Ghent)
written by maxpinckers on March 26th, 2009 , 12 submissions , 9 comments (4 votes)

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Here in Belgium the funfair is a popular annual tradition that attracts people from all over the city. These fairs bring a whole variety of attractions that every child loves, ranging from crazy roller coasters and shooting alleys to horror houses and Ferris wheels. The biggest fair takes place in Brussels, during the early summer. Still, there are certain ‘families’ who tour around the country, and sometimes even abroad, to set up their fairs and provide happiness and joy for all of those who visit these paradisaical attractions.

However, there are certain aspects of these nomad funfair communities that we never have the chance to see: how and where they live, their day-to-day activity, away from all the chaotic fun, glory and glamor projected on the fair grounds.

I caught up with a group funfair travelers as they hosted their fair in the small city of Ghent, Belgium. I was fortunate enough to be accepted onto their camping site as a photographer and was granted all the permissions I needed in order to document their way of life.

Within the maze of caravans (perhaps better described as ‘villas on wheels’), little tableaux unfold amidst the residents. Scenes of a non-place, since the physical location is only temporary and does not really play a significant roll within the functionality and lifestyle of the community.

In this series working conditions are juxtaposed with a leisurely lifestyle.