How festivals are designed as spaces of encounter

14:30 Publication - The festival season is in full swing. Whether it's the alternative sounds at Down The Rabbit Hole or Lowlands, the hiphop beats at WOO HAH!, the distinct chords at North Sea Jazz or the techno rhythms at Awakenings, each of these events attract thousands and thousands of different people. Diversity and inclusion have become cardinal pillars in the festival sector and beyond. What is the role of the festival organiser in creating a space where people meet others? That was the focus of a recent study by PhD candidate Britt Swartjes and full professor Pauwke Berkers (Erasmus School of History, Culture and Communication), which resulted in the novel publication entitled "Designing conviviality? How music festival organizers produce spaces of encounter in an urban context" . A dedication to diversity and inclusion. With the increasing emphasis on diversity and inclusion, festivals carry a responsibility to do something with it. "Many festival organisers in Rotterdam are aware and they are willing to work on diversity and inclusion at their festivals," says Britt, "the uncertainty lies in how to do that exactly." "It was interesting to see how much of your experience as a festival-goer is actually designed, rather than something you just create yourself." During the research, Britt and Pauwke interviewed 31 organisers from popular music festivals in Rotterdam.