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Festivals and culture are often praised for their openness and inclusiveness, giving the possibility for democratic conversation or critical thinking. A more critical perspective however, argues otherwise. We could ask ourselves; are we really that inclusive? Many festivals struggle with opening up to a more diverse audience and having different communities represented in their audiences and programming. The question of democracy in terms of audiences; topics of inclusion and diversity are much discussed. Looking at contexts of censorship and societies with high degrees of corruption and inequality, one could also wonder if festivals should be democratic spaces at all, especially if it comes to their audiences. Within underground and independent scenes and communities, festivals as semi-closed off spaces can ensure safety and ownership for (minority) communities, giving them safer spaces to express and experience their culture and identity. In contexts with heavier political restrictions, we can start to think about this new understanding of festivals as semi-public spaces in terms of safely and community access.
On an organizational level, the question of democracy is also important to ask ourselves. How do we create organizational and management models that are both effective and open for people to partake in? Rather than looking at the effects of festivals themselves, the articles looks at the organization and struggles of festival makers in regards to un-democratic tendencies. Both perspectives are important to keep in mind while reading, as they often go hand in hand.
Festivals and Society
Festivals and Society
Arts and culture take up a big part of society and can have big influences on people’s lives and on politics directly or indirectly. Cultural professionals and festival makers can create spaces where (critical) conversation are possible and were artists and audiences can reflect on social and political issues. Within reflective, healthy democracies[1], arts and culture contribute to the sustainability of a democratic system, society and actions. Healthy democracy, a concept that refers to the idea of democracies as living and dynamic systems or beings rather than a given structure, asks for a constant back and forth with society.[2] In addition, the idea of Fragile Democracy also points towards the idea of democracies as living entities, underscoring that the state of democracy is something that should be understood in relative terms.[3] Both of these concepts make us aware that democracy should not be considered a given, but rather something in need of maintenance and constant conversation with all of those who are involved.
Within undemocratic tendencies and contexts, the position and effects of the cultural sector seems to shifts. Some scholars and authors identified the role of culture either in the position of aiming to counter un-democratic tendencies and systems; festivals as spaces to oppose dominant ideologies.[4] Others see the positions culture as a tool to legitimize the singular narrative that is behind certain political systems.[5] However, in practice this might look differently. Many festivals could fall in both categories or neither of them. Some festivals make use of strategies that stay within more strict regulations either because this is the only way to keep existing, but also in order to promoting democratic values within other projects on the side.
Key concepts:
- Question of inclusivity and democracy within festivals
- Underground and independent cultural scene
- Festivals as semi-public spaces
- Healthy democracy
- Fragile democracy
- Arts and festivals in society
[1] https://www.humak.fi/en/blogs/arts-cultural-management-and-healthy-democracy/?_gl=1 (Poprawski 2022)
[2] Ibid.
[3] Yakoub and Hammami 2020
[4] Related articles: Zamorano and Bonet 2020, Đurić et al. 2022, Poprawski 2022, Yakoub and Hammami 2020, Kuligowski and Poprawski 2023
[5] Rohava 2020, Zamorano 2021, Bonet and Zamorano 2020
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