The universe of free fairs: a view from Osorno (southern Chile) and Dom Pedrito (southern Brazil)

Abstract

This study is a contribution related to the reality of two street fairs in Latin America, the first one is located in south Brazil and the other one in southern Chile. The data showed was obtained through personal interviews and non-participant observation. The results were analyzed by Discourse analysis. Both fairs are characterized by the constant presence of local culture. The Dom Pedrito fair has a more commercial character, offering only products from the región. On other hand, the Osorno fair uses all local culture and art to characterize food marketing places. At the last, it is essential to evidence that both fairs are extremely important for the family farming, especially in economic and social aspects.