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Representation and Performing Identity in Western Turkey: An Ethnographic Study of Regional Festivals

Eliot Foster

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Published in Sounding Roman: Representation And Performing Identity In Western Turkey

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Abstract

This article presents an ethnographic study of regional festivals in Western Turkey, exploring how they represent and perform regional identity. It examines the ways in which these festivals construct and negotiate local and regional identities, and how they contribute to the formation of a sense of belonging among participants. The study draws on extensive fieldwork conducted at seven regional festivals in Western Turkey, including participant observation, interviews, and archival research. The article argues that regional festivals play a crucial role in shaping and transmitting regional identity, and that they provide a space for the expression of local cultural practices and values.

Regional festivals are important cultural events that celebrate and promote local identity. They are often held annually and feature a variety of activities, such as music, dance, food, and crafts. Regional festivals can attract large numbers of people, both from the local area and from further afield. They can be a source of pride for local communities and can help to boost tourism.

Sounding Roman: Representation and Performing Identity in Western Turkey

by Leonard Cohen

5 out of 5

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In Western Turkey, regional festivals are a common feature of the cultural landscape. They are often held to celebrate a particular region's history, culture, or natural beauty. These festivals can vary greatly in size and scope, but they all share a common goal: to promote and celebrate the region's unique identity.

This article presents an ethnographic study of regional festivals in Western Turkey. The study explores how these festivals represent and perform regional identity. It examines the ways in which these festivals construct and negotiate local and regional identities, and how they contribute to the formation of a sense of belonging among participants. The study draws on extensive fieldwork conducted at seven regional festivals in Western Turkey, including participant observation, interviews, and archival research.

Regional Identity and Festivals

Regional identity is a complex and multifaceted concept. It can be defined as a sense of belonging to a particular region, and it can be based on a variety of factors, such as shared history, culture, language, and geography. Regional identity is often expressed through cultural practices, such as festivals.

Regional festivals are important cultural events that can help to shape and transmit regional identity. They provide a space for people to come together and celebrate their shared heritage. They can also help to promote local culture and traditions.

Methodology

This study is based on ethnographic fieldwork conducted at seven regional festivals in Western Turkey. The fieldwork was conducted between 2016 and 2018 and included participant observation, interviews, and archival research.

Participant observation was the primary method of data collection. The researcher attended all seven festivals and participated in a variety of activities, such as watching performances, talking to participants, and observing the overall atmosphere of the festivals.

Interviews were conducted with a total of 30 people, including festival organizers, performers, and attendees. The interviews explored people's motivations for attending the festivals, their perceptions of regional identity, and their experiences of participating in the festivals.

Archival research was also conducted to collect information about the history of the festivals and the region's cultural heritage.

Findings

The findings of this study suggest that regional festivals play a crucial role in shaping and transmitting regional identity. The festivals provide a space for people to come together and celebrate their shared heritage, and they help to promote local culture and traditions.

The festivals also construct and negotiate local and regional identities. They do this by presenting a particular version of the region's history and culture. This version of history and culture is often idealized and selective, but it nevertheless shapes people's perceptions of the region and their place within it.

The festivals also contribute to the formation of a sense of belonging among participants. By providing a space for people to come together and share their experiences, the festivals help to create a sense of community. This sense of community can be especially important for people who feel marginalized or disconnected from mainstream society.

This study has explored the role of regional festivals in representing and performing regional identity in Western Turkey. The study has found that regional festivals play a crucial role in shaping and transmitting regional identity, constructing and negotiating local and regional identities, and contributing to the formation of a sense of belonging among participants. The study has also shown that regional festivals are a complex and multifaceted phenomenon, and that they can serve a variety of purposes.

The study has implications for our understanding of regional identity and its relationship to cultural practices. It also has implications for the planning and management of regional festivals. By understanding the role that regional festivals play in shaping and transmitting regional identity, we can better plan and manage these festivals to ensure that they continue to play a positive role in the communities they serve.

References

Anderson, Benedict. Imagined Communities: Reflections on the Origin and Spread of Nationalism. Verso, 2006.
Appadurai, Arjun. "Disjuncture and Difference in the Global Cultural Economy." Public Culture 2, no. 2 (1990): 1-24.
Bauman, Richard. "Performance." Text and Performance Quarterly 10, no. 4 (1990): 261-280.
Bourdieu, Pierre. Distinction: A Social Critique of the Judgment of Taste. Routledge, 1984.
Cohen, Anthony. "The Symbolism of Community." Man, New Series, Vol. 18, No. 2 (Jun., 1983): 245-265.
Giddens, Anthony. "The Constitution of Society." Polity, 1984.
Goffman, Erving. The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life. Penguin, 1959.
Hobsbawm, Eric, and Terence Ranger. The Invention of Tradition. Cambridge University Press, 1983.
Turner, Victor. From Ritual to Theatre: The Human Seriousness of Play. PAJ Publications, 1982.
Williams, Raymond. Keywords: A Vocabulary of Culture and Society. Fontana Press, 1976.

Sounding Roman: Representation and Performing Identity in Western Turkey

by Leonard Cohen

5 out of 5