Toolkit
The Organization of Festivals and Un-democratic Tendencies
By Mette van Zoest and Fabiola Eidloth
Toolkit
The Organization of Festivals and Un-democratic Tendencies
By Mette van Zoest and Fabiola Eidloth
Festivals who are already dealing- or have dealt with un-democratic contexts and tendencies, have developed various strategies and tools in order to tackle the treats and challenges they encounter. These range from practical solutions to everyday tasks to organizational models and the concepts festivals are built around. Below you will find an overview of tools and strategies that have appeared in the articles on Poland, Serbia, Iran and Syria. Terms are linked with hyperlinks to the respective article where people can read more about the context and application of the ideas and concepts.
This chapter gathers key databases, research platforms, and readings on censorship in the arts, cultural policy research, and practical tools for artists, educators, and activists, offering global perspectives and concrete resources for learning, advocacy, and cultural practice.
Find here key academic texts, policy reports, journalistic sources, and practitioner-oriented materials that underpin the toolkit. This bilbliography provides a multidisciplinary body of knowledge on cultural policy, festivals, democracy and autocracy, censorship, and the role of arts and cultural actors in political and social change, with perspectives spanning Europe, the Arab region, and beyond.
How to continue this research
As this body of knowledge should be considered a dynamic project, new cases and information can be added over time. Find here a concise blueprint for contributing to the open‑source research on festivals and un‑democratic tendencies, offering adaptable methods for independent researchers and festival organisations to document cases, share insights, and expand the Body of Knowledge.