Cultural Sustainability Through Covid 19: A Case Study of the Festivals on the Island of Rhodes

Abstract

Cultural heritage is one of the key elements of a region's identity and local culture can be an important asset in an effort to highlight and promote a region with the ultimate goal of sustainable development and prosperity of the local community.Local festivals and celebrations contribute to reducing tensions, overcoming dividing lines, developing reciprocity and respect for diversity. They give participants the opportunity to create bonds of contact and communication, create a "sense of belonging", cross borders and dividing lines, fight social exclusion, are the right cohesive web for strong social cohesion. The role of local festivals and fests in the economic, social and cultural sustainability of communities has been highlighted in the international literature.

The Psychological and Socio-Economic Impacts of Festival Celebrations on the Island of Rhodes, Greece, During the Covid-19 Pandemic

“…Moreover, "I increasingly come across angry people around me, who get involved in quarrels, who talk in a nonsensical manner at my job, in the streets, at the market". Distrust and anger peak in individuals when tolerance for frustration decreases and stress and depression increase, which is confirmed by international research, also in Greece, investigating the psychological impacts of the pandemic (Luo et al, 2020;Marmarosh, 2020;Martinez;2020;Mazza et al, 2020;Parks, 2020;Diamanti, 2021;Fountoulakis, 2021;Giannopoulou et al, 2021;Matzanos & Xanthacou, 2021b;Papavasileiou et al, 2021;Strongylaki, 2021;Xanthacou et al, 2021, among others).…”

“…Research in different populations and different countries. In addition, negative, the psychological impact is found in Greek data and surveys with empirical evidence in different populations, data influencing life satisfaction (Diamanti & Nikolaou, 2021;Fountoulakis et al, 2021;Giannopoulou et al, 2021;Matzanos & Xanthacou, 2021b;Papavasileiou et al, 2021;Strongylaki, 2021;Xanthacou et al, 2021, among others).…”

Evaluating the Creative Economy Applying the Contingent Valuation Method: A Case Study on the Greek Cultural Heritage Festival

“…[9,10] state that further research on the relationship between intangible cultural heritage, tourism, and sustainable development is required. A recent, related study on Greece [11] showed that wine tourism could lead to sustainable development in the Peloponnese region, while [12] highlighted the contribution of the Rhodes folk festival to local sustainable development.…”