The Purpose of Festivals Today: A Critical Reflection

Fabio Severino, an economist and sociologist, questions the current state of festivals in a critical editorial on Artribune. He argues that festivals should present new work, previews, and experimentation, but the lack of formal regulation allows anyone to self-proclaim a festival, leading to many that serve personal egos rather than cultural advancement. Severino notes that in the early 21st century, there was a glut of festivals, often funded by public money, used for propaganda and commercial consensus. He criticizes the misuse of public funds and prestigious locations for private salons, and emphasizes that a festival, by definition, is a popular celebration, not an exclusive club. The article also promotes Artribune's newsletters: Incanti (art market), Render (urban regeneration), and PAX (cultural tourism).