In conference – Festivals and communities

Philip Long previews an international conference that will explore key connections between communities and festivals.

Festivals and cultural events are occasions when communities meet and celebrate. They can make a vital contribution to the development, maintenance and revitalisation of community life both in urban and rural areas. They also provide unique opportunities for artistic expression and platforms for creative and innovative work.

Festivals and cultural events are of course a global phenomenon and there is much that can be learned from international perspectives on their practice and performance. Next month around 200 festival and cultural event professionals, policy makers, organisers, volunteers and researchers will gather in Sheffield?s Cultural Industries Quarter to share ideas and exchange best practice in this vibrant and dynamic dimension of community life. Key areas under discussion will be the role of festivals and cultural events in shaping community life in new towns, the political economy of carnivals, and the celebration of identity and cultural diversity through festivals and cultural events. There will also be workshops on security, public health, marketing and European funding.

The UK government has recognised that the conference themes cross-cut a number of key policy areas including neighbourhood renewal, civic engagement and the cultural economy. In recognition of this, the conference will involve senior officials and ministers from the Home Office, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and Department for Culture, Media and Sport. Delegates will include members of the International Festivals and Events Association (IFEA) from Europe, North America and South Africa, providing a unique opportunity for UK professionals directly or indirectly involved in the planning, management and support of festivals and cultural events to reflect on practice in an international context.

Philip Long is a Principal Lecturer in Tourism Management at the Centre for Tourism and Cultural Change, Sheffield Hallam University. He is a board member of IFEA. ?Festivals and Communities: Realising the Potential? will take place from September 23?25. e: [email protected]