Enhancing Social Cohesion where Festival as a Media, is it Possible?

Abstract

Festival is the gathering of society from many places and different backgrounds as the form of citizen's commitment. The festival provides a place for people, stakeholders, industry, artist, volunteer, and participants to interact in a space which is dynamic and give beneficial. The successfulness of festival can create a harmonious togetherness for the visitor and community and establish the personal satisfaction to be a good citizen. The purpose of this research is to find out the citizens' active participation, cooperation between government and stakeholder, and connectivity between individuals in creating successful festival and able to create a social cohesion. This qualitative research with ethnography method was done during the implementation of Krakatau Festival XXVII. Result of the research showed that festival gave a space for citizen's participation, increase the knowledge, getting social experience and increase personal skills to the environment as a shape of citizenship's civilization and strengthen social cohesion.

Participation and Contribution Through Cultural Event to Develop The Independent Character of Young Citizens

“…Festivals are spaces that provide opportunities for the development of local/indigenous culture as a constructive form of their own culture [15], [16], which will be known and respected by local, national, and international communities. The festivals are intended as a step to maintain culture and create good relations between cultures [2], [17], [18].…”

“…It is important to note the social impact of an event for the individuals and communities who are involved in the event. It is because a festival can be a good medium for individual and community to develop themselves and create "social integaration" [2], [11]. This is certainly one of the ways to fulfill a human need called "affiliation", which is a need to live together in social life.…”

“…Citizenship civilization is a guideline for every individual and society to be able to actively participate in daily life and be responsible as a member of society [1], [2], [14]. Government, social capital, and civilization are inseparable parts [27], meaning that all components must be able to work together and produce wiser [28] and healthier communities [29], [30].…”

“…Cultural festivals such as the Krakatau Festival are a very important tourism agenda for Lampung Province. Therefore, this festival is always held and has become a favored tourism program [1], [2]. Since the first festival implementation in 2018, it has received support, aspirations, and assistance from young people by involving themselves directly in various activities carried out for three consecutive days in Bandar Lampung City.…”

“…The success of the festival will not happen if it did not receive support from various existing components such as government, related agencies (work units), communities, organizations, the wider community, and young people [1], [2]. In general, in the implementation of the Krakatau Festival, there are many young people who are actively involved either as participants, organizers, volunteers, event organizers, and other communities of young people.…”