CULTURAL IDENTITY AS A CHALLENGE FOR COLLABORATIVE GOVERNANCE

THE LAVAGEM DO BONFIM EXPERIENCE

Abstract

This teaching case aims to provoke learning about: (a) understanding how collaborative governance contributes to popular festivals; (b) reflecting on the importance of cultural identity in popular festivals; and (c) discussing how cultural identity contributes to the governance of popular festivals. The plot of the case revolves around the municipality's culture secretary who created an advisory committee with representatives linked to the festival in order to try to minimize existing tensions and criticisms. The committee's experience pointed to the need for various improvements. However, it has exacerbated conflicts, leading to the disengagement of a central member of the festival. The secretary realizes that it is not easy to deal with the different demands, the imbalance of multiple interests and the criticism of the festival's identity. For ethical and educational reasons, the case is written with fictional characters and situations, but they are believable and plausible, based on information from empirical research. The research methodology was inductive and exploratory, based on documents and interviews.