ABSTRACT

Whether through education, sport or festivity, events form the basis on which we attribute cultural meaning, significance and value to our lives. In this light, community events have the potential to create positive and negative social, cultural, economic and environmental impacts within the community across a wide variety of genres and platforms.

 

This book offers a deeper and more critical insight into the relationships, dynamics and planning processes of festivals and events and the impact this has upon authenticity, cultural consumption and the local communities they serve. It does so by looking at a range of key debates in power theory, event planning and design, event construction, experience and meaning, authenticity, sustainability, social inclusion, accessibility and sponsorship engagement. International case studies are embedded within the chapters, examining the role of stakeholders, local communities, organisers, local governments and infrastructure.

 

This critical event studies text is interdisciplinary and will make valuable reading for students and researchers who are interested in the relationships and dynamics involved in the construction and planning of festivals and events, their immediate impact and their significance for the future.

chapter 3|14 pages

“I don’t think they give a monkey’s about me”

Exploring stakeholder power and community alienation at Glastonbury Festival

chapter 4|14 pages

Event evolution and the planning process

The case of the Finnish housing fair

chapter 5|16 pages

The sporting and heritage festival of Landsmót in Iceland

Identity expressions and performances of nation, gender and rurality

chapter 6|25 pages

Personal networks in festival, event and creative communities

Perceptions, connections and collaborations

chapter 7|17 pages

Innovation in rural festivals

Are festival managers disempowered?

chapter 10|14 pages

‘Power wrestling’

The life and (untimely) death of the Real Food Festival

chapter 11|15 pages

Religion and politics – event, authenticity and meaning

A dialogical approach

chapter 12|16 pages

Commemoration, celebration, and commercialisation

Akaroa’s French Festival

chapter 13|16 pages

Managing community stakeholders in rural areas

Assessing the organisation of local sports events in Gorski Kotar, Croatia