Political and Policy Political and Policy Dynamics of Events and Dynamics of Events and

FestivalsFestivals Lecture 6 Lecture 6 Razaq RajRazaq Raj

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLRgfitr-ZA

Politics of place and role of policy Politics of place and role of policy makersmakers

Events have been commonly used for political Events have been commonly used for political ends throughout history. ends throughout history.

Rulers and Monarchs have used events to Rulers and Monarchs have used events to popularise themselves and the area they rule.popularise themselves and the area they rule.

Governments use events particularly hallmark Governments use events particularly hallmark ones to punctuate the end of their term in ones to punctuate the end of their term in office because they create nationalism, office because they create nationalism, enthusiasm and most importantly votes enthusiasm and most importantly votes

Politics of place and role of policy Politics of place and role of policy makersmakers

The festivals and events help to develop social The festivals and events help to develop social and economic cohesion, confidence and pride and economic cohesion, confidence and pride that connect local community and local that connect local community and local authorities together authorities together

The local authorities secure political power The local authorities secure political power and influence through events to gain moment and influence through events to gain moment among the local residents and businesses.among the local residents and businesses.

Politics of place and role of policy Politics of place and role of policy makersmakers

““Politics and politicians are an important part of Politics and politicians are an important part of the equation that is contemporary events the equation that is contemporary events management”management”

(McDonnell, Allen and O’Toole, 1999 p.26)(McDonnell, Allen and O’Toole, 1999 p.26)

Politics of place and role of policy makersPolitics of place and role of policy makers

The local authorities use community-based The local authorities use community-based festivals and events in strengthening festivals and events in strengthening communities, business districts, cultural, communities, business districts, cultural, heritage and arts resources, and in attracting heritage and arts resources, and in attracting tourists and visitors to the City.tourists and visitors to the City.

Politics of place and role of policy makersPolitics of place and role of policy makers

Prime Minister, Tony Blair quoted:Prime Minister, Tony Blair quoted:‘‘The British Government is delighted to give its The British Government is delighted to give its full support to the London Bid for 2012. Winning full support to the London Bid for 2012. Winning the Games would be good news for London and the Games would be good news for London and for all of the UK. I hope everyone in the country for all of the UK. I hope everyone in the country will get behind the campaign.’ will get behind the campaign.’ London 2012 Olympic Bid (2003, p.1)London 2012 Olympic Bid (2003, p.1)

Tourism destination in local communitiesTourism destination in local communities

Festivals can be big business for a destination.Festivals can be big business for a destination. The local authorities are using events to The local authorities are using events to

position their destinations in the market, and position their destinations in the market, and thus fulfil their cultural, tourism, festivals and thus fulfil their cultural, tourism, festivals and arts strategies.arts strategies.

Development of Festivals and Celebrations in Development of Festivals and Celebrations in the local communitythe local community

Today the Festivals are seen principal platform Today the Festivals are seen principal platform for collective participation in expressions of for collective participation in expressions of traditional and contemporary culture. traditional and contemporary culture.

The festivals attract increasing numbers of The festivals attract increasing numbers of visitors to each festival.visitors to each festival.

Development of event public policy Development of event public policy

Governments around the globe are utilising Governments around the globe are utilising events as an integral part of their policies for events as an integral part of their policies for regional development. regional development.

Therefore, it is important ensure event public Therefore, it is important ensure event public policy has the capacity to facilitate policy has the capacity to facilitate opportunities for regional development. opportunities for regional development.

Framework for the development of Framework for the development of event public policy event public policy

At the local government level, a two year At the local government level, a two year event policy should be developed.event policy should be developed.

Attract visitors and enhance their experience.Attract visitors and enhance their experience. Develop event policies that will promote Develop event policies that will promote

positive regional development. positive regional development.

Authors: John Ensor a;  Martin Robertson a; Jane Ali-Knight a

Relationship with the Local Community - Key Constructs

Notting Hill CarnivalNotting Hill Carnival The Notting Hill Carnival, formed in 1964.The Notting Hill Carnival, formed in 1964. Celebrate their ancestors freedom from Celebrate their ancestors freedom from

slavery, with an attendance of 200.slavery, with an attendance of 200. Caribbean people to come together and share Caribbean people to come together and share

their social and cultural differences with the their social and cultural differences with the local community.local community.

Notting Hill CarnivalNotting Hill Carnival As stated by the William Stewart the founder of As stated by the William Stewart the founder of

initial Caribbean carnival in this country. initial Caribbean carnival in this country. ““Festival to bring together the people of Notting Festival to bring together the people of Notting Hill, most of whom were facing racism, lack of Hill, most of whom were facing racism, lack of working opportunities and poor housing working opportunities and poor housing conditions resulting in a general suppression of conditions resulting in a general suppression of good self-esteem.”good self-esteem.”

Political History Political History Daily Mail columnist Lynda Lee-Potter (1991), Daily Mail columnist Lynda Lee-Potter (1991),

"a sordid, sleazy nightmare that has become "a sordid, sleazy nightmare that has become synonymous with death"synonymous with death"

Political HistoryPolitical History The Tory Shadow home secretary Willie Whitelaw (1977) The Tory Shadow home secretary Willie Whitelaw (1977) ““The risk in holding it now seems to outweigh the enjoyment The risk in holding it now seems to outweigh the enjoyment

it gives." it gives."

"Then it is up to their leaders to take steps necessary to "Then it is up to their leaders to take steps necessary to ensure its survival."ensure its survival."

Political Changes by policy makers for Political Changes by policy makers for CarnivalCarnival

The Mayor of London ordered a Carnival Review in 1999. The Mayor of London ordered a Carnival Review in 1999.

Public safety and density of people Public safety and density of people Carnival location and procession/route Carnival location and procession/route Travel to and from Carnival Travel to and from Carnival Police presence Police presence Cultural, social and economic impactCultural, social and economic impact Content of Carnival Content of Carnival Provision of facilities Provision of facilities Carnival is managed and financedCarnival is managed and financed Adequate communication and signage Adequate communication and signage

Economic analysis of carnivalEconomic analysis of carnival

£93 million£93 million London’s economyLondon’s economy

3,0003,000 Full time JobsFull time Jobs

1.16 million1.16 million people attended Carnival over three dayspeople attended Carnival over three days

£45 million£45 million Spend by Carnival goers in three daysSpend by Carnival goers in three days

£50 million£50 million General financial boost to firms and General financial boost to firms and individuals involved in Carnivalindividuals involved in Carnival

Social impactsSocial impacts Refuse collectionRefuse collection

2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999

Tonnes of refuse collected in RBKC

203 192 168 210 250 211

Tonnes of refuse collected in WCC

155 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

ConclusionsConclusions The community festivals are seen by the local The community festivals are seen by the local

politician a great educational settings for all cultures.politician a great educational settings for all cultures. There is unarguably an element of politics There is unarguably an element of politics

surrounding the festival. surrounding the festival. The local authorities undertake the development and The local authorities undertake the development and

direct delivery of festivals to pursue specific direct delivery of festivals to pursue specific economic and community development objectives. economic and community development objectives.

QuestionsQuestions How much is the Festival worth to London? Linking learning and cultural development

around festival provision; ensuring a strong relationship between the Greater London Authority and Local Council and the festival providers?