Can cultural festivals function as counterspaces for migrants and refugees? The case of the New Beginnings Festival in Sydney

Hassanli, N; Walters, T; Friedmann, R

Can cultural festivals function as counterspaces for migrants and refugees? The case of the New Beginnings Festival in Sydney

Hassanli, N

Walters, T Friedmann, R

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Publisher:: Taylor & Francis (Routledge)
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Leisure Studies, 2020, 30, (2), pp. 165-180
Issue Date:: 2020

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Hassanli, N https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3392-0829
dc.contributor.author	Walters, T
dc.contributor.author	Friedmann, R
dc.date.accessioned	2020-10-01T20:13:09Z
dc.date.available	2020-10-01T20:13:09Z
dc.date.issued	2020
dc.identifier.citation	Leisure Studies, 2020, 30, (2), pp. 165-180
dc.identifier.issn	0261-4367
dc.identifier.issn	1466-4496
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/142974
dc.description.abstract	Despite the recognised benefits of cultural festivals, it is still unclear how they may assist marginalised groups in mitigating the adverse effects of marginalisation. Informed by the Counterspace Framework, this paper seeks to address the gap at the nexus of leisure, events and marginalisation by considering the case of the New Beginnings Festival in Sydney. Using hybrid thematic analysis and based on data collected through participant observation, semi-structured interviews, and document analysis, we argue that the festival operates as a counterspace for attendees through the processes of narrative identity work, acts of resistance, and direct relational transactions. First, the festival validated experiences of rejection and marginalisation by attendees, and at the same time celebrated migrants and refugees by showcasing their capabilities/achievements. This lead to attendees’ sense of affirmation and acceptance. Second, the freedom to express themselves in culturally meaningful ways helped bolster the attendees’ self-concept. Third, social and institutional support, and leadership roles such as mentoring and volunteering were made possible at the festival, which enhanced attendees’ social capital in empowering ways. In addition, we highlight the importance of location for events as counterspaces. Our findings contribute to both the critical event studies and the counterspace literature.
dc.language	English
dc.publisher	Taylor & Francis (Routledge)
dc.relation	Australian and New Zealand Association for Leisure Studies
dc.relation.ispartof	Leisure Studies
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1080/02614367.2019.1666296
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccess
dc.subject	1504 Commercial Services, 1506 Tourism, 1608 Sociology
dc.subject.classification	Sport, Leisure & Tourism
dc.title	Can cultural festivals function as counterspaces for migrants and refugees? The case of the New Beginnings Festival in Sydney
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	30
utslib.for	1504 Commercial Services
utslib.for	1506 Tourism
utslib.for	1608 Sociology
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Business
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Business/Management Discipline
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
utslib.copyright.status	closed_access	*
pubs.consider-herdc	true
dc.date.updated	2020-10-01T20:12:56Z
pubs.issue	2
pubs.publication-status	Published online
pubs.volume	30
utslib.citation.issue	2

Abstract:

Despite the recognised benefits of cultural festivals, it is still unclear how they may assist marginalised groups in mitigating the adverse effects of marginalisation. Informed by the Counterspace Framework, this paper seeks to address the gap at the nexus of leisure, events and marginalisation by considering the case of the New Beginnings Festival in Sydney. Using hybrid thematic analysis and based on data collected through participant observation, semi-structured interviews, and document analysis, we argue that the festival operates as a counterspace for attendees through the processes of narrative identity work, acts of resistance, and direct relational transactions. First, the festival validated experiences of rejection and marginalisation by attendees, and at the same time celebrated migrants and refugees by showcasing their capabilities/achievements. This lead to attendees’ sense of affirmation and acceptance. Second, the freedom to express themselves in culturally meaningful ways helped bolster the attendees’ self-concept. Third, social and institutional support, and leadership roles such as mentoring and volunteering were made possible at the festival, which enhanced attendees’ social capital in empowering ways. In addition, we highlight the importance of location for events as counterspaces. Our findings contribute to both the critical event studies and the counterspace literature.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/142974