The Role of Cultural Festivals in Strengthening Community Identity

Abstract

The paper examines the role that cultural festivals play in empowering community identity by analysing its social, cultural and economic impacts.  Applying both qualitative information provided by the representatives of the community and quantitative data on the level of participation, the results demonstrate that cultural events can serve as a powerful tool of strengthening the collective memory, facilitating intergenerational dialogue and enhancing group belonging.  The results show that festivals can revitalize the old traditions, as well as create inclusive space where different communities can interact, negotiate identities and celebrate common values.  The statistical convergence depicts that there is a positive correlation between participation in the festivals and feeling proud of your culture, trusting people, and feeling socially attached.  In addition, interviews with the community members highlight the use of festivals as a means of preserving the intangible cultural heritage and simultaneously incorporating modernity into the narrative thereby continuing the tradition and making it appear more applicable.  Based on these findings we can conclude that cultural festivals are not merely happy experiences, they are also vibrant social affirmatives that can bridge people together in the communities, engage people in their communities and enable them retain their culture.  This study asserts the continuing relevance of festival within contemporary society by illustrating that they are the agents of unity and strength.