The world turned upside down? Cities, festivalization and uncertainty

Gold, John and Gold, Margaret (2021) The world turned upside down? Cities, festivalization and uncertainty. Built Environment, 47 (3). pp. 417-431. ISSN 0263-7960

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Abstract / Description

The rapid proliferation of festivals experienced by cities round the world over the last four decades was brought to a sudden halt in early 2020 by the coronavirus pandemic. Planned gatherings ranging from local arts festivals to global megaevents were summarily abandoned, postponed, or converted to digital alternatives. This paper opens with a contextual introduction. The ensuing section considers the reasons for the seemingly unfettered proliferation and festivalization that had occurred pre-COVID-19, but indicates that problems had already arisen over appropriation of public space, overtourism and security before the current crisis. The next part surveys the pandemic’s impact on the urban festival sector to date. With reference to the megaevents planned for 2020 and a series of case studies of arts festivals. it notes responses ranging from whole or partial cancellations to implementation of wholly digital options. The conclusion argues that the continuing importance of physical congregation in designated places must be recognized, contending that this is enhanced rather than challenged by the rise of digital alternatives.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	©2021 Alexandrine Press
Uncontrolled Keywords:	cities, festivals, festivalization, megaevents, protest, COVID-19, uncertainty, digital media, hybridity
Subjects:	700 The arts; fine & decorative arts > 710 Civic & landscape art 700 The arts; fine & decorative arts > 720 Architecture 700 The arts; fine & decorative arts > 790 Recreational & performing arts
Department:	Guildhall School of Business and Law
Depositing User:	Margaret Gold
Date Deposited:	01 Feb 2023 12:34
Last Modified:	01 Feb 2023 12:40
URI:	https://repository.londonmet.ac.uk/id/eprint/8234

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