ABSTRACT
This chapter presents the findings of an innovative interdisciplinary methodology to research, from participants’ perspectives, attitudinal change as a result of their participation in two entirely new community light festivals: Bexhill After Dark (East Sussex) and University of East London (UEL) After Dark. For as long as can be remembered, events such as theatre, drama, spectacle, performance, carnival and festivals have played a significant and integral role in shaping the social fabric of human existence. Their diversity, popularity and flexibility, particularly in the context of community festivals, have led to them being viewed as excellent opportunities within cultural policy strategy to achieve specific political, economic and cultural development objectives. Through its findings this chapter contributes to the growing demand for research to determine whether and how such festivals fulfil these expectations while also meeting democratic standards.
