THE PSYCHOLOGICAL AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACTS OF FESTIVAL CELEBRATIONS ON THE ISLAND OF RHODES, GREECE, DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Συγγραφείς

  • Vasileios Papavasileiou Assoc. Prof. Dr., University of the Aegean, Greece
  • Yota Xanthacou Prof. Em. Dr., University of the Aegean, Greece
  • Eleni Nikolaou Assist. Prof. Dr., University of the Aegean, Greece
  • Nikos Andreadakis Prof. Dr., University of the Aegean, Greece
  • Dimitrios Matzanos Post-doc Researcher, University of the Aegean, Greece
  • Agapitos Xanthis Post-doc Researcher, University of the Aegean, Greece
  • Maria Kaila Prof. Em. Dr., University of the Aegean, Greece

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46827/ejsss.v8i1.1325

Λέξεις-κλειδιά:

festival celebrations, COVID-19 pandemic, impact, views

Περίληψη

This research paper aims to study the function of the traditional festivals on the island of Rhodes during the period of the COVID-19 pandemic in order to explore community members and official institution representatives’ views on their psychological and socio-economic consequences. A structured interview was designed, which was given online to 168 subjects, of which 96 community members in the villages of the island of Rhodes and to 72 official institutions, representatives of cultural and local authorities, within the context of the beginning of the festivities with some restrictions, in August 2021, in the light of the pandemic. The results of the research show that the majority of community members and official institution representatives of the sample emphasize the communicative, cultural, recreational, and social dimensions of the festivals, however, some claim that there are no longer events that arise interest. Regarding their cancellation during the pandemic period, the majority of community members answer that the entertainment - communication sector was most affected, while the representatives of the institutions emphasize the economic consequences. In general, regarding the consequences of the pandemic on the behavior and psychology of individuals, introversion, isolation, antisociality, belligerence, tension and nervousness, are emphasized, while mistrust seems to prevail even in close family settings. Moreover, the majority of community members and representatives emphasize that social offer and solidarity are not exhibited to a satisfactory degree, while volunteering activities are limited. Regarding the pandemic, vaccination is suggested as the most effective means, mainly by the official institution representatives. Regarding the events of 2021 that shocked them most, the community members focus on economic, social and psychological - personal problems, while the official institution representatives focus on environmental and economic problems. Finally, most of them state that they do not want the transformation of festivals, however, they regard the emphasis on tradition as a sustainable perspective of local festivals.

 

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Βιογραφικά Συγγραφέων

  • Vasileios Papavasileiou, Assoc. Prof. Dr., University of the Aegean, Greece

    Dr. Vasileios Papavasileiou teaches in the Department of Sciences of Preschool Education and Educational Design as an Associate Professor at the School of Humanities of the University of the Aegean. His is the Director of the Master's Program "Environmental Education" as well as the Director of Laboratory of Applied Research for Environmental Education. His research interests include both Environmental Education in Education Sciences and Education for Sustainable Development.

  • Yota Xanthacou, Prof. Em. Dr., University of the Aegean, Greece

    Dr. Yota Xanthacou is an Emeritus Professor in Creative Learning at the Department of Sciences of Preschool Education and Educational Design, University of the Aegean, Rhodes, Greece. Her research interests include Creativity, Innovation, Cultural Sustainability, Local Knowledge and Educational Design.

  • Eleni Nikolaou, Assist. Prof. Dr., University of the Aegean, Greece

    Dr. Eleni N. Nikolaou is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Sciences of Preschool Education and Educational Design, University of the Aegean, Greece. She has an extensive experience on mental health issues during her career, as she had been working for many years in a counseling and mental health service for children, adolescents and their families in Greece. Her published work can be found at
    http://nikolaoueleni.wordpress.com/

  • Nikos Andreadakis, Prof. Dr., University of the Aegean, Greece

    Dr. Nikos Andreadakis teaches in the Department of Sciences of Preschool Education and Educational Design as a Professor at the School of Humanities of the University of the Aegean. His research interests focus on "Educational Research & Evaluation".

  • Dimitrios Matzanos, Post-doc Researcher, University of the Aegean, Greece

    Dr. Dimitrios Matzanos is a Post-doc Researcher, University of the Aegean, Greece.

  • Agapitos Xanthis, Post-doc Researcher, University of the Aegean, Greece

    Dr. Agapitos Xanthis is a Post-doc Researcher, University of the Aegean, Greece.

  • Maria Kaila, Prof. Em. Dr., University of the Aegean, Greece

    Dr. Maria Kaila is an Emeritus Professor in Educational Psychology at the Department of Sciences of Preschool Education and Educational Design, University of the Aegean, Rhodes, Greece. Her research interests include Educational Psychology, Research Methods in Education, Pedagogical Psychology, Educational Design, Environmental Psychology, Sustainable Development, Creative Thinking and Learning.

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Δημοσιευμένα

2022-09-16

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