Event Title
Parallel Session 11, Events and Festival Planning Track: Festival Sustainability: A Long-Term Holistic Perspective
Location
Classroom 207
Start Date
14-12-2017 12:15 PM
End Date
14-12-2017 12:40 PM
Description
Purpose
This paper aims to present a new way to envisage sustainability. In the past, our ancestors were used to the idea that they would be involved in things that they would personally never see completed. The builders of the medieval cathedrals in Europe understood that they were working on something for future generations, and that the benefits of their labour would accrue to their descendants. In our modern fast-paced world, where we demand instant gratification, this notion has been lost. We look to products and services (including tourism and events) to meet our immediate needs, but we don't give enough thought to the long term implications of our short term demands.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper draws on a case study of the Woodford Folk Festival in Queensland, Australia, which has a 500 year vision. Methods used include document analysis, interviews and participant observation.
Findings
The findings demonstrate that where a festival organiser has a clear vision, even when this vision is radically different to the type of vision that most festivals produce, this can encourage and enthuse other stakeholders to become involved. The overall sustainability of the festival, and the site it occupies, revolves around this clearly articulated vision. The festival site is being replanted with native trees (over 100,000 to date) and this has brought benefits to native wildlife too. An important component of this is that the planting is done by festival-goers, as part of their commitment both to the festival and to the site, thus demonstrating buy-in from attendees. The festival has invested in an onsite wastewater treatment plant, and an onsite water filtration plant, and has created a visual arts studio and workshop for local and visiting artists. This shows that the festival is concerned not only with the natural environment, but also with the local and wider arts and music community. The festival also works closely with the local Indigenous community, the Jinibara Nation, and they are consulted on, and involved in, every decision the festival takes. Finally, the festival has a year-round volunteer program, allowing volunteers to maintain their connection with the festival and the site beyond the usual volunteer experience during a festival or event. These findings allow us to take a much longer term perspective on sustainability than is normal, and present a learning opportunity for other festivals.
Research limitations/implications
The paper is exploratory and qualitative in nature, therefore empirical testing would be needed to confirm its applicability to other festivals and events. It should also be noted that the findings of this paper reflect a festival which owns its own site and therefore some aspects of the findings cannot be easily translated to other festivals which simply hire a venue or site.
Nonetheless, the findings of this paper allow us to begin to construct a different view of the concept of festival sustainability and longevity.
Practical implications
The practical implications of this paper center around the fact that this festival is acting as a pioneer in the field of long term sustainability aspirations. Whilst other festivals may not want to take such an extended view of their sustainability, nonetheless, Woodford offers a range of potential lessons in sustainability for other festival organisers to learn from.
Originality/value
The paper is the first to examine how a 500 year vision can influence perspectives on sustainability as well as practical steps towards achieving this sustainable vision.
Parallel Session 11, Events and Festival Planning Track: Festival Sustainability: A Long-Term Holistic Perspective
Classroom 207
Purpose
This paper aims to present a new way to envisage sustainability. In the past, our ancestors were used to the idea that they would be involved in things that they would personally never see completed. The builders of the medieval cathedrals in Europe understood that they were working on something for future generations, and that the benefits of their labour would accrue to their descendants. In our modern fast-paced world, where we demand instant gratification, this notion has been lost. We look to products and services (including tourism and events) to meet our immediate needs, but we don't give enough thought to the long term implications of our short term demands.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper draws on a case study of the Woodford Folk Festival in Queensland, Australia, which has a 500 year vision. Methods used include document analysis, interviews and participant observation.
Findings
The findings demonstrate that where a festival organiser has a clear vision, even when this vision is radically different to the type of vision that most festivals produce, this can encourage and enthuse other stakeholders to become involved. The overall sustainability of the festival, and the site it occupies, revolves around this clearly articulated vision. The festival site is being replanted with native trees (over 100,000 to date) and this has brought benefits to native wildlife too. An important component of this is that the planting is done by festival-goers, as part of their commitment both to the festival and to the site, thus demonstrating buy-in from attendees. The festival has invested in an onsite wastewater treatment plant, and an onsite water filtration plant, and has created a visual arts studio and workshop for local and visiting artists. This shows that the festival is concerned not only with the natural environment, but also with the local and wider arts and music community. The festival also works closely with the local Indigenous community, the Jinibara Nation, and they are consulted on, and involved in, every decision the festival takes. Finally, the festival has a year-round volunteer program, allowing volunteers to maintain their connection with the festival and the site beyond the usual volunteer experience during a festival or event. These findings allow us to take a much longer term perspective on sustainability than is normal, and present a learning opportunity for other festivals.
Research limitations/implications
The paper is exploratory and qualitative in nature, therefore empirical testing would be needed to confirm its applicability to other festivals and events. It should also be noted that the findings of this paper reflect a festival which owns its own site and therefore some aspects of the findings cannot be easily translated to other festivals which simply hire a venue or site.
Nonetheless, the findings of this paper allow us to begin to construct a different view of the concept of festival sustainability and longevity.
Practical implications
The practical implications of this paper center around the fact that this festival is acting as a pioneer in the field of long term sustainability aspirations. Whilst other festivals may not want to take such an extended view of their sustainability, nonetheless, Woodford offers a range of potential lessons in sustainability for other festival organisers to learn from.
Originality/value
The paper is the first to examine how a 500 year vision can influence perspectives on sustainability as well as practical steps towards achieving this sustainable vision.
