ABSTRACT
The first chapter provides introduction to the book's subject of European Rainbow Gatherings. It begins with a field story (boxed), which describes the author's initial interest in the topic and provides a glimpse of the research environment. The chapter continues with the scientific background and context of the research, providing definitions for the central terminology, a short discussion of the related branches of science and relevant findings in each, and an explanation of the research questions that guided the study. After this, the chapter discusses some methodological features and considerations, namely specific characteristics of the research environment, the position of an insider-researcher, and examples of methodological creativity and versatility that the author found helpful.
