The Significance of Cultural Events - Literature review Example

Cultural Events of the of the Cultural Events Culture is not constant; it is dynamic and constantly changing. It is the history of the life of the people. Culture describes the perception of people towards life, and is based on the values and differences that people share. It encompasses several aspects in the community, such as relationships, memories, experiences, identities, expectations, and dreams. In addition, culture represents the hopes of the people, regarding the future. Culture is transmitted from one generation to the other, and it constitutes the connection, between people. It is utilised by the people to form relationships, connections and networks of values (Miles & Whan). Culture is a medium for forming friendships, and integrating people and society. Culture teaches people the necessity of knowing their history and the manner in which they had lived. It teaches the manner in which one can describe one’s ambitions, dreams, and other personal information to others. Culture determines the way, in which children are brought up in a society. It is deemed to be an expression of the desires of the people to achieve various goals, like happiness, survival, and creativity (Miles & Whan). National identity rests on emotional notions, and in general, people are proud of their nation or community. However, these stances entail certain setbacks and difficulties. For instance, national identity can be considered as a perceived notion that had been developed on the basis of the emotional feelings of the people. Such emotions remain in force throughout the lifetime of the people. According to Stuart Hall, identity is a continuous process that never comes to a standstill (Grant, 2009). People, per se, develop national identity through these fixed perceptions. The information and entertainment media, such as television, radio, and newspapers seemingly contradict this notion regarding fixed positions. They cajole and compel the people to expand their understanding of the world by thinking beyond their fixed ideas. In this manner, the media broadens the understanding of its audience. Cultural identity has been defined as being and becoming. It has a historical basis and is subject to continuous change (Grant, 2009). The present day world is interconnected, and its nations and peoples interact with each other. This mediated world requires people to expand their vision and views about the world. Moreover, it is necessary for the people to explore new ideas and continuously change their opinions about the world (Grant, 2009). Big cities are characterised by cultural events and other vibrant activities. These events attract the public and preserve the unique identity of the city. The residents of the city and visitors to the city develop considerable interest, in these activities. These activities provide entertainment and cultural experience, and promote a favourable image of the city, in which they are organised, and enhance the pride of residents, in their city (Hamilton City Council, 2009). Moreover, cultural events and activities improve economic opportunities, by generating jobs and increasing the influx of visitors. With this enhancement, the standard of life of the residents increases. Thus, cultural events and activities contribute to the improvement of the city. The final outcome of these activities is to provide greater economic opportunities to the cities, in which they are organised. Cities that host international events receive better economic and social benefits (Hamilton City Council, 2009). Any society can be easily identified by its culture. It denotes the perceptions of the people about their community; and indicates the manner, in which people view themselves. Culture is a combination of several aspects, such as social values, beliefs, morals, ethics, and lifestyles. It is transmitted from one generation to another; and includes various practices of the people, such as their food, clothes, religious practices, political interests, music, dance, and languages (Gebremedhin). Cultural heritage is an important facet of identifying any particular society. Each and every community is comprised of a distinct set of thinking patterns, behaviour, self-identification, culture, shared values, norms, and customs (Gebremedhin). These factors determine the way in which people live in a community. People remain together, on account of their cultural heritage; and people participate in community activities, on its basis. People are recognised by their cultural identity, which is a state of mind. It is a representation of what people perceive about themselves. Cultural heritage and ethnic integrity are basis for the development of individual identity (Gebremedhin). Cultural identity plays a vital role in interpersonal relations and in the development of the sense of self. People are identified by cultural identity, as it makes them realise their identity. Moreover, the cultural identity of the people explains how others view them. In order to gain knowledge about one’s own self, one has to understand others. This understanding of others helps people to know themselves better. People, who identify themselves with a particular culture, are very likely to develop a sense of belonging to that culture, which provides them with a feeling of security (Gebremedhin). Identification with some ethnic culture promotes social networks among the members of that community. This process leads them to support each other and to share values and opportunities. In addition, the members of that community develop a feeling of trust and support. People transmit cultural traditions to future generations, and culture builds strong communities that contribute to their welfare. Members in such ethnic communities usually share their knowledge and opportunities with other members (Gebremedhin). This cooperation promotes the wellbeing of the community. Nationalism promotes certain forms of social psychology. National pride causes a person to entertain hopes for the future. However, it also promotes fears among individuals. Nationalism denotes the interests and spiritual values of the people. However, it cannot be attributed to the public at large because only the cultural and political elites can influence this perception (Resnick, 2008: 789). Some scholars had conjectured that national pride was merely a part of a more general group of feelings. National pride has been seen to be a major indicator of a person’s attitude towards his nation. Cultural heritage is a perception that has no physical existence. It emerged in the 1990s, and deals with the sense of continuity that is transmitted from previous generations to the present and future generations. Cultural heritage promotes and preserves cultural diversity. Not surprisingly, there are a number of international treaties and instruments that aim to protect the cultural heritage of different nations (Cultural Heritage, Creativity and National Pride). Many nations have also established their own mechanisms to safeguard their culture. Cultural heritage represents the creativity of the bygone generations; and the present generations, tend to promote this creativity. As a result, the development of cultural heritage is a continuous, cumulative, and creative process (Cultural Heritage, Creativity and National Pride). The international and domestic cultural policies protect the cultural heritage in order to transmit the same to the future generations. The objective of these policies is to preserve the traditions, values, ethics, and standards practiced by the previous generations. Moreover, these policies aim to accommodate the present creativity in cultural heritage. It is essential to preserve cultural traditions. The world is witness to technological sophistication and related social transformation, due to the process of globalisation (Cultural Heritage, Creativity and National Pride). It is necessary to identify and preserve cultural traditions, as they provide the basis for ensuring sustainable development. The people of different nations harbour different views about national identity. The perception of the people about their national identity varies from country to country. Similarly, the attitude of the people also varies from nation to nation. National identity is a notion that represents the perception of people towards their nation. It describes the unique characteristics of the culture of that nation(Mooij, 2004: 120). National pride is the combination of national achievements and specific symbols. According to a 2001 data of world values survey, more than 72% of the residents of the US stated that they are proud of being Americans and their country. This information indicates that Americans are exceedingly patriotic. Among the European nations, the sense of national pride is found to be strongest in Greece and Ireland. Thus, more than 77% of Greek nationals and 71% of the Irish expressed strong national pride. On the other Germany depicted a very low level of national feeling, at 17%; and this was followed by Belgium, 26% of whose nationals expressed national pride(Mooij, 2004: 120). National pride is the personal perception of individuals towards their nation and represents their emotional feeling about their nation. Researchers have reiterated that citizens with a positive sense of national pride tend to be more committed to the stability of their nation, and strive hard to improve their nation. The feeling of national pride makes people build inter-personal relations and share mutual obligations. Ultimately this leads to social solidarity, which in turn is of immense benefit for the country. A majority of research studies have concentrated on the factors that promote national pride among the people (Pinkus, 2006). In order to determine whether national pride promotes national stability, security, and feelings of superiority among the people, several parameters have to be considered. The 2000 World Values Survey had been conducted in 48 countries to examine the factors that promote the feelings of national pride among the people (Pinkus, 2006). International sports promote strong feelings of national pride and national identity, in the people. In international sporting events, people favour their own national team, and develop a feeling of possessiveness that differentiates national players and other competing teams. The information obtained from studies conducted in the major international events, like the Olympics has indicated that commentators and media coverage varied, in accordance with the likes and dislikes of the spectators, with respect of their national players and other participants (Pinkus, 2006). Sports are employed as indicators for determining the level of national pride. Several governments have adopted this indicator to measure the feeling of national pride of their people. Moreover, if a nation succeeds in ensuring better sport performance, then such ability will boost national pride within the country. The same situation transpires, when a country organises a major sporting event (Pinkus, 2006). There are two significant outcomes, namely the building of a strong national identity within the country, and the demonstration of this capacity to other nations. This also demonstrates the financial stability of the nation to support a major sporting event and to provide adequate training and facilities to its sportspersons (Pinkus, 2006). This has been witnessed in sporting events conducted in Chechnya and Afghanistan. In these events, the sporting events served to bring the people together and to increase the national and stability. Although Chechnya was suffering from social disorders, armed combats, and upheavals within the nation; its citizens demonstrated exemplary pride in the Russian League football team (Pinkus, 2006). In that event, Terek Grozny, the sole Chechen team in the Russian League emerged as the winners of the championship. This prompted this proud nation to declare that it was not a safe haven for terrorists and bandits, and that this tiny country had the wherewithal to achieve great victories. Chiefly, the Chechens were at pains to convey the impression that they were peaceful people with a keen sense of sportsmanship (Pinkus, 2006). Sports have the capacity to transcend violence and bring in peace. For instance, the iniquitous Taliban unleashed a reign of terror in Afghanistan. Subsequently, this regime was ousted from power, and the Kabul stadium, which had been the venue for the Taliban’s executions, was made the venue for a football match. This match was conducted between the coalition forces that had rid the nation of the Taliban and the local Afghani players (Pinkus, 2006). Several scholars have contended that sports are apt measures of national pride. They had also stated that there was an underlying relationship between sport and national pride. However, on occasion, extreme national pride could lead to fanaticism of an extreme nature. In the late 1960s, Latin American countries underwent economic turmoil and unrest. Countries like Honduras and El Salvador were totally dissatisfied with each other. A large number of El Salvadorians had migrated to Honduras to find work at that place. In this background, the 1970 World Cup was conducted. During the qualifying matches, the fans of the two teams resorted to widespread violence by organising riots and armed engagements. This violence escalated into the invasion of Honduras by El Salvador, and this incident was termed as the Football War (Pinkus, 2006). In the case of Chechnya and Afghanistan, the sporting event served to promote national pride. However, this has not been the case in every instance, and the war that took place between Honduras and El Salvador, illustrates the disadvantage that could result from extreme nationalism, resulting from sports (Pinkus, 2006). Cultures have a vast influence on the life of an individual and the relationships that person develops. They also have a significant effect on the ascription, judgement, and perception of people. Despite their tremendous power, cultures, in general remain unperceived and have a major bearing on conflicts and their resolution (LeBaron, 2003). Cultural communications mould the comprehension that people entertain regarding various issues. Some of these issues are the manner in which an individual addresses conflict and harmony. List of References Cultural Heritage, Creativity and National Pride. (n.d.). Retrieved May 31, 2010, from http://www.wipo.int/export/sites/www/about-wipo/en/dgo/wipo_pub_988/pdf/wipo_pub_988_ch8.pdf Gebremedhin, T. G. (n.d.). Reflecting on our ethnic identity and cultural heritage. Retrieved May 31, 2010, from http://www.ertra.com/2005/tesfa_apr14.htm Grant, J. P. (2009, September 11). Imagined Communities. Retrieved May 30, 2010, from http://jasonpaulgrant.co.uk/my-work/essays/32-imagined-comunities.html Hamilton City Council. (2009). Event and Cultural Venues. Retrieved May 31, 2010, from http://hamilton.co.nz/file/fileid/16279 LeBaron, M. (2003, July). Culture and Conflict. Retrieved June 3, 2010, from Beyond Intractability: http://www.beyondintractability.org/essay/culture_conflict/ Miles, D., & Whan, W. (n.d.). The Art of Renewal: A Guide to Thinking Culturally About Strengthening Communities. Retrieved May 30, 2010, from http://www.engagingcommunities2005.org/abstracts/Miles-Deb-final.pdf Mooij, M. K. (2004). Consumer behavior and culture: consequences for global marketing and advertising. SAGE. Pinkus, L. E. (2006, August 10). Sources of National Pride: A Cross National Study of Sport. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Americal Sociological Association . Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Resnick, P. (2008). Hubris and melancholy in multinational states. Nations & Nationalism , 14(4), 789 – 807. Read More