145,000 SEK in travel expenses and another 50,000 on clothes. Now critical voices are raised against the Carnival Committee budget.
“I find it difficult to support the considerable difference that exists between the Committee and the ordinary carnivalists”, says a top-flight carnevalist.
Photo: Lukas Norrsell.
Only a few days to go before Lundakarnevalen opens up the gates. Approximately 5,000 voluntary carnivalists and an annual 26 million SEK turnover makes it all an enormous event. Many of the major expenses in the budget are incurred by site facility rents, technology, compensation and performing artist fees, while the major income is generated by ticket sales, admission and endorsement.
The carnival oprations have by and large been organized by twelve people, who were appointed in February of 2013. Apart from the General and the Finance Manager being paid in spring, all other efforts are based on voluntary efforts. The budget to cover the peripheral expenses and compensation runs up to 359,000 SEK. Carnival Finance Manager, Joakim Winnerljung, struggles to deem the expenses as being very high.
“I was rather afraid there would be remarks on the budget being too low. The Committee consists of two full-time paid and ten non-financially compensated full-time workers. Compared to the three previous carnivals, Committee costs have been cut back considerably this year.
Evaluation week travel expenses
The Committee budget grants expenses, such as 145,000 in travel expenses, which mainly is to cover an evaluation week after the carnival. For the 2010 Carnival, that meant a trip to Malta.
“An evaluation week is still just a suggestion. We haven’t discussed the destination. It’s something we’ll have to discuss after the carnival. The only certain thing right now is that there will be some kind of evaluation procedure,” says Joakim Winnerljung.
50,000 SEK costumes
The budget calculates a room for tailor-made suits for 50,000 SEK which boils down to approximately 4,000 SEK per person.
“It serves a promo-related purpose. They have a very limited usage range which is three carnival days. They are in line with the graphical profile and are not available in regular stores.
But aren’t they just a tad pricy?
These suits have a long tradition, and the their expense item is a residue from 2010. Naturally, we could have had them made in Southeast Asia, but in this case they were tailor-made in Sweden. They’re not for personal benefits. It’s a matter of us figuring as Carnival mascots for three days,” says Joakim Winnerljung.
A little over 25,000 SEK per person
The Committee budget adds up to 359,000 SEK. When divided into the Committee and the two-member council serving as mentors from the previous carnival, the sum adds up to approximately 25,600 SEK per person. Most of the carnival members are Section Managers as well, but they in turn have their own 255,787 SEK budget. Among active carnivalists, these sums have stirred up feelings of disappointment.
“Considering the fact that ordinary carnivalists in certain sections have been told to pay additional money to cover food and shirts, it kind of leaves you with a bitter taste in the mouth,” says one of the carnivalists.
“I find it difficult to support the considerable difference that exists between the Committee and the ordinary carnivalists,” says a different carnevalist.
But couldn’t a sum of a little over 25,000 SEK be deemed as a fairly low sum for almost 18 months of virtual full-time work.
“Naturally, a lot of work has been put forth, but there are several others who have spent just as much time working, but who are way less compensated proportionally,” says a carnivalist.
Text: Annika Skogar
Translation: Maximilian Aleman-Tennell
