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Nina J. Ogot

Jesren Mae N. Corpuz

Carl Jimand M. Morales

Rechel P. Nachor

A Systematic Literature Review on Festivals

Festival or fiesta is a special event or celebration that highlights the culture,

traditions, and beliefs of a community. Festivals can be defined as “short-term, recurring,
publicly accessible events that usually celebrate and/or perform particular elements of
culture” (Mair, 2019:4). In many places, festivals bring people together to honor their
shared history, religion, or achievements. They also help local areas grow by improving
communities, attracting tourists, and increasing pride and unity (Gomez-Casero et al.,
2020; Wallstam, Ioannides & Pettersson, 2020). These celebrations not only provide fun
and entertainment but also make the bonds within a community stronger.

Cultural events and festivals, which bring together artists and their work for live
audiences, have become a key part of today’s “experience” and “creative” economies,
adding significant value to society. This study looks at how the COVID-19 pandemic,
which forced many events to cancel or move online, impacted cultural production. By
comparing the positive ideas of “enrichment” (Boltanski & Esquerre, 2020) to trends
before the pandemic, the study suggests that the rise of “festivalisation” — the growing
focus on live cultural events — is a way to compete with cheaper, more accessible online
alternatives.These online options provide similar experiences at a lower cost, challenging
the exclusive, immersive performances that cultural workers depend on for income,
creativity, and career growth. Moving events online weakens the unique appeal of live
gatherings and reduces audience size and engagement, threatening the long-term value
and sustainability of cultural production.
 Several studies have been conducted on festivals preserving cultural and traditions
within a community the following table shows the studies that have been reviewed.

Area of Concern Sources

Cultural Preservation & Identity Gnes, A. (2019)

Pletsan, K. (2022)
Mair, J., & Weber, K. (2019)
Tiatco, A. P. (2019)

Community Engagement & Social Mohanty, S. K., & Dash, P. C. (2023).

Cohesion Rutagand, E. (2024)
Taytay et al.(2023)
Delmonte, D. C., & Cabaguing, A. M.
(2024)
Jeon, M. M. (2020)
Economic Impact & Sustainable Kapoor, V. (2024)
Management Padiwan et al.(2024)

Rossetti, G., & Quinn, B. (2021)

Leone, L., & Montanari, F. (2021)
Chan, R. R. T. (2020)
Tourism & Socio-Cultural Development Tamayo, J. A. L. L. (2022)
Akhundova, A. (2024)
Lopes, R., & Hiray, A. (2024)
Dychkovskyy, S., & Ivanov, S. (2020)
Guevarra, S. V. (2019)
Intason, M. (2023)
Cultural Preservation & Identity
In examining the role of festivals in preserving cultural identity and promoting
cultural diversity, Gnes (2019) underscores the importance of festival culture in
safeguarding national identities amid the globalizing forces that often threaten to
homogenize cultures. According to Gnes, festivals help maintain sub-ethnic cultural
characteristics, providing a space for these identities to thrive despite the pressures of
globalization. Similarly, Pletsan (2022) emphasizes the role of ethno-festivals in
preserving traditions, noting how these events allow local communities to showcase their
heritage while fostering intergenerational cultural transmission. Mair and Weber (2019)
contribute to this discussion by highlighting how festivals, as major socio-cultural events,
are not only integral to tourism and regional development but also play a crucial role in
sustaining the local cultural fabric by promoting awareness of regional traditions.
Furthermore, Tiatco (2019) contextualizes Filipino cultural performances, emphasizing
how cultural practices, especially in the form of rituals and festivals, strengthen
communal identity and serve as a source of spiritual expression and collective memory,
blending indigenous traditions with contemporary influences. Together, these scholars
highlight the central role of festivals in preserving cultural identities and traditions,
serving as vital cultural expressions that resist the forces of globalization while promoting
local pride and cohesion.

Community Engagement & Social Cohesion

Community engagement and social cohesion are central to the impact of festivals,
as they foster a sense of belonging and unity within local communities. Mohanty and
Dash (2023) emphasize that participation in cultural festivals, particularly in post-
pandemic settings, significantly contributes to community identity and inclusiveness,
with a sense of belonging being a key predictor of participant satisfaction. Similarly,
Rutagand (2024) highlights how cultural festivals can enhance social cohesion by
promoting intercultural dialogue and fostering a sense of pride and belonging among
diverse community members. Taytay et al. (2023) further support this by demonstrating
that local festivals, such as the Puto Latik Festival, not only enhance cultural awareness
but also motivate residents to engage with and take pride in their heritage, promoting
both intergenerational exchange and social unity. Additionally, Delmonte and Cabaguing
(2024) discuss how fiesta celebrations, particularly in Jiabong, Philippines, serve as
critical events for reinforcing social ties, preserving cultural practices, and expressing
local identity, all of which contribute to social cohesion and collective participation.
Collectively, these studies underscore the significant role of festivals in fostering social
connections, enhancing community pride, and promoting inclusivity, thus reinforcing the
social fabric of local communities.

Economic Impact & Sustainable Management

The economic impact and sustainable management of festivals are critical for
ensuring that these events continue to benefit local communities while minimizing
potential negative effects. Jeon (2020) discusses how festivals can have substantial
economic benefits, including tourism revenue and business opportunities, but also points
out the environmental and social challenges they pose, such as overcrowding and
resource depletion. Kapoor (2024) adds to this by highlighting how revisions in festival
rituals can contribute to sustainable practices, minimizing environmental impact while
fostering local sustainability. Kapoor argues that integrating eco-friendly rituals and
responsible tourism practices within festivals can create a balance between cultural
preservation and environmental stewardship. Padiwan et al. (2024) further emphasize the
dual role of festivals in driving local economies through tourism and business activities
while also enhancing cultural pride and unity among community members. However,
they also note that festivals face challenges such as overcrowding and commercial
pressures, which can threaten their sustainability. Together, these studies underscore the
need for effective management strategies that balance economic benefits with
environmental responsibility, ensuring that festivals contribute positively to both the local
economy and community well-being in a sustainable manner.

Tourism & Socio-Cultural Development

Tourism and socio-cultural development are key areas of focus in festival studies,
with festivals serving as both catalysts for economic growth and agents of cultural
exchange. Rossetti and Quinn (2021) explore how rural festivals, such as literary events,
enhance cultural capital by providing attendees with the opportunity to engage with
unique cultural expressions, which in turn fosters local development. Leone and
Montanari (2021) focus on how festivals can improve the image of the cultural industry,
particularly through events like the New Italian Dance Platform, which attracts diverse
audiences and enhances collaboration between artists and stakeholders, thus contributing
to the broader cultural tourism sector. Similarly, Chan (2020) highlights the role of Vigan
City’s festivals in promoting cultural pride and historical preservation, which, while
attracting tourists, also deepen visitors' connection to the region’s cultural heritage.
Tamayo (2022) discusses how fiesta sponsorship impacts local cultural traditions, noting
that although sponsorship brings financial support, it can alter the social dynamics and
authenticity of the festivals, which affects the socio-cultural development aspect.

Akhundova (2024) and Lopes and Hiray (2024) examine the role of festivals in
driving tourism in less-visited regions, contributing to the growth of event tourism and
regional development by attracting visitors and enhancing the appeal of these areas as
tourist destinations. Dychkovskyy and Ivanov (2020) further emphasize that festival
tourism is integral to the development of international tourism by promoting local
cultural heritage, which stimulates related sectors like hospitality and transportation.
Guevarra (2019) explores the role of food in festivals, particularly in Sariaya, Philippines,
where gastronomic traditions play a central role in attracting tourists and promoting the
region’s culinary culture as part of the broader cultural tourism experience. Intason
(2023) addresses the tension between cultural rituals and hedonistic tourism during the
Songkran Festival, emphasizing that while festivals contribute to tourism, there is a
delicate balance between maintaining cultural authenticity and catering to the
entertainment demands of tourists. Together, these studies illustrate the significant role
that festivals play in both tourism development and socio-cultural exchanges, fostering
local pride, enhancing cultural understanding, and contributing to regional economic
growth while promoting sustainable cultural practices.
 Overall, while the existing literature on festivals provides valuable insights into
their economic, social, and cultural impacts, there remains a need for further exploration
in several key areas. Future research should focus on addressing the sustainability of
festivals, the intersection of cultural and economic factors, and the evolving nature of
festivals in the digital age, contributing to the development of more sustainable and
culturally enriching festivals that continue to benefit local communities and promote
social cohesion. The purpose of this study is to systematically review existing literature
on festivals to understand their impacts on cultural preservation, community engagement,
economic development, and tourism.

This study seek to answer this question:

1.What is the essence of fiestas in shaping the cultural identity, and traditions of people?