THE AR T S
To my dismay, this position has caused many festivals to occupy a position of finger pointing as they try to distance themselves from the problematic events of other groups, rather than defending their industry as a robust and fundamentally important part of our society’s steam-release valve that is also economically beneficial, relatively safe, and which encourages positive social behaviours and norms. So naturally, the weak position of
constantly ‘trying to get away with it’ has caused our culture to be cautious in their approach to public issues and policy. Perhaps it also affects the suspicions of local governments when they wonder what kind of light will be shone on their own community. Studies show that people are rapidly
losing faith in their social institutions, and even democracy itself. These statistics are even more damning when analysing the younger cross-section of our society. Now more than ever we need organisations that claim
progressive values to embody the ideals they put on their website so they’re not just buzzwords or slogans. Nowadays people can cut through hollow New Age tripe like a hot knife through butter, and if they don’t believe they won’t behave. We need festival organisations
to collaborate in their assertion of legitimacy because otherwise the idea of ‘transformative gathering’ will be co-opted by the only things that can survive an expensive bureaucratic labyrinth: major commercial interests. By working together and claiming our
space we can emancipate the ideas of the party-with-a-purpose, the festival as a socially (or even environmentally!) beneficial core component of a flourishing modern society. We need individuals to support
and defend our celebration industry, particularly our vibrant festival scene. Check your favourite event’s blog, see the difficulties they’ve been facing (if they’re brave enough to admit them) and
see if you can help. Even writing a letter has an incredible impact. Alongside this joint effort, we can
stand our ground and fight the false stigma of danger and decadence. The festival industry is in a unique position that can fight with creativity, community, and comfort because it cherishes beauty, it facilitates connection, and it provides a safe space. ■
Connect with other readers & comment on this article at
www.livingnow.com.au
The Baron de Merxhausen is an event coordinator, celebrant, group-work facilitator, and the creator of the newly founded Ethical
Festivals Association. He has lectured on philosophy at the Melbourne School of Continental Philosophy, built a library for the Occupy Movement, been caught in a Middle Eastern revolution, and generally lies around eating soft cheeses, as befits a person of his title.
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