|
Carnival of Divorce
This one's definitely not an affair for the whole family. At the end of the month, Vienna will host what purports to be the first ever divorce fair.
Under the headline, "Start your life afresh," the two-day event was fashioned to help people plan their post-married lives.
Woohoo, sounds like fun! No word yet on what fair food will be available — Vienna sausages? powdered funnel cake? — but couples ready to call it quits will have access to a grab bag of expert lawyers, mediators and consultants well versed on issues of spousal rights and obligations, alimony and child access.
Fairgoers can also expect lectures ranging from a children's view of divorce to single-parenting.
Other exhibitors will include estate agents, life-crisis experts, a company offering package holidays for new divorcées and, ominously, private detective firms and DNA laboratories offering paternity tests. The archdiocese of the city of Vienna has also reserved a stand at the fair.
Seems like Vienna could use the event — nearly 50% of all marriages end in divorce in Austria, and 66% in Vienna. But, is this a trend in the making?
When preparing for pre- and post-divorce, the more resources available the better. Unfortunately, though, a "fair" mentality is bound to attract abusive marketing and merchandising tactics surrounding the business of divorce. Can you say divorce-themed throw pillows?!
For now, we'll be getting our funnel cake fix from the county fair.
Click here to read more.