Local Festivals as a Mechanism for the Preservation and Transmission of Intangible Cultural Heritage
Kamelia Petkova
pp. 58 - 69
 
Title: Local Festivals as a Mechanism for the Preservation and Transmission of Intangible Cultural Heritage
Authors: Kamelia Petkova

Abstract: This article presents an analysis of data from a nationally representative quantitative survey of 800 respondents, conducted within the project "Local Festivals: A Resource for Local Communities in Coping with Crises", funded by the National Science Fund of the Ministry of Education and Science of Bulgaria. The study explores local festivals as a key mechanism for the preservation and transmission of intangible cultural heritage. The findings reveal that such events serve not only as a means of safeguarding cultural identity and traditions, but also as essential drivers of social cohesion and economic vitality in local communities. Despite their cultural and social significance, local festivals face a variety of challenges, including financial constraints, declining youth participation, the effects of globalization, and limited digital outreach. The study highlights the importance of active community involvement, which emerges as a critical factor for the long-term sustainability of these festivals. Furthermore, digitalization and the adoption of modern communication strategies are seen as essential tools for increasing the visibility and intergenerational appeal of these events. The article calls for targeted policy measures, educational initiatives, and public–private partnerships aimed at supporting the sustainable development of local festivals as dynamic and evolving cultural practices.

Keywords: Local Festivals; Intangible Cultural Heritage; Social Cohesion; Sustainability; Digitalization.

Received: 03-02-2025     Accepted: 18-05-2025     Published: 30-06-2025

Citation: Petkova, K. (2025). Local Festivals as a Mechanism for the Preservation and Transmission of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Cultural and Historical Heritage: Preservation, Presentation, Digitalization (KIN Journal), 11(1), ISSN 2367-8038, Institute of Mathematics and Informatics – Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 58–69. DOI: https://doi.org/10.55630/KINJ.2025.110103