Creating knowledge spillovers through knowledge-based festivals: the case of Mantua, Italy

Knowledge-based festivals, such as Italy's Festivaletteratura in Mantua, serve as dynamic hubs for knowledge creation and spillovers, extending their impact beyond the event itself. By leveraging a dual network structure—comprising local cultural organizations, firms, volunteers, and civic groups alongside an international creative community—the festival fosters innovation and attention. This study shifts focus from viewing festivals as transient events to recognizing them as permanent, regionally embedded knowledge generators. The research employs qualitative analysis to explore these networks' roles in disseminating knowledge, highlighting the festival's potential to drive cultural and economic development within UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Podestà, M., & Richards, G. (2017). Creating knowledge spillovers through knowledge-based festivals: the case of Mantua, Italy. Journal of Policy Research in Tourism, Leisure and Events, 10(1), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1080/19407963.2017.1344244