Festival Cultures: Mapping New Fields in the Arts and Social Sciences

This book explores the last half-century of modern arts and performance festivals through an interdisciplinary and diachronic approach, highlighting the importance of a transdisciplinary and diachronic approach. It focuses on new theoretical and methodological approaches for examining festivals and festival cultures, such as the Burning Man festival and burner culture in Europe. The editors argue that festival cultures are becoming values-inflected global forms of travel, dwelling, festivity, communication, and social organization with significant political capital.

Format: Hardback
Length: 257 pages
Publication date: 02 December 2021
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

This captivating book brings together a diverse range of interdisciplinary research from the fields of Anthropology, Sociology, Archaeology, Art, History, and Religious Studies, highlighting the imperative of adopting a transdisciplinary and diachronic approach to explore the remarkable last half-century of modern arts and performance festivals. The volume specifically delves into innovative theoretical and methodological frameworks for examining festivals and festival cultures, with a particular focus on the Burning Man festival in Nevada's Black Rock Desert and the vibrant burner culture in Europe. The editors argue compellingly that festival cultures are evolving into values-inflected global phenomena, shaping contemporary societies and wielding significant political influence.

The book's chapters are organized into three distinct sections, each exploring different aspects of festival cultures. The first section explores the historical and cultural contexts that have shaped festivals throughout history, from ancient rituals to modern-day celebrations. The authors examine the social, economic, and political factors that have contributed to the proliferation of festivals and their impact on communities. The second section focuses on the theoretical frameworks and methodologies employed in studying festivals. The editors introduce cutting-edge approaches, such as ethnography, participant observation, and cultural analysis, to understand the complex dynamics and meanings behind festivals. The third section showcases case studies of specific festivals, including Burning Man, Glastonbury, and the Carnival of Rio de Janeiro. The authors provide in-depth analyses of these festivals, examining their origins, themes, structures, and impact on participants and the wider society.

Through its comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach, this book offers valuable insights into the evolving nature of festivals and their profound impact on contemporary cultures. It challenges traditional disciplinary boundaries and encourages scholars and researchers to adopt a holistic perspective when studying these cultural phenomena. The volume serves as a valuable resource for students, scholars, and practitioners interested in the fields of Anthropology, Sociology, Art, History, and Religious Studies, as well as anyone with an interest in understanding the dynamics of contemporary society and the role of festivals in shaping it.

Weight: 483g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030883911
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022