Nowadays, people are mobilised around individual issues – perhaps even time-limited ones, and certainly less ideologically driven: environmental concerns in their own neighbourhood or, at most, their city; collecting food or money for families in need; climate emergencies and environmental disasters (in recent years, how can we forget the young ‘mud angels’ of the Genoa floods, the citizens – locals and immigrants alike – who helped during the floods in Veneto, and the volunteers who assisted during earthquakes, alongside those from the Civil Protection Agency). These are targeted, practical initiatives where participants can tangibly gauge the impact of their efforts. It is a pragmatic form of participation where relational aspects – contact and interaction with others – and tangible action are what matter. The teeming array of initiatives and the sheer number of people taking part point to the existence of a widespread participatory foundation. It reflects a deep-rooted community spirit within local areas and around concrete issues, which has shifted from ideological participation to a pragmatic form. In any case, it generates values and a sense of belonging.
But participation is not merely symbolic. This myriad of initiatives also generates considerable economic value. Even if we focus solely on cultural initiatives, one need only consider the economic impact generated by the estimated 1,200 events comprising the many festivals that have sprung up in recent years across the country, covering a range of themes: from the economy in Trento to philosophy in Modena; from the music of the Notte della Taranta to the books at Pordenonelegge and the literature of Mantua; from the Turin Spirituality Festival to the Vicenza Bible Festival, to name but a few. Each of these cultural events draws hundreds of thousands of people to the host cities, generating demand for tourism, hospitality and local spending. This fosters both economic and symbolic value, highlighting once again a side of the country that we often fail to see – or choose not to see – in the full context of its implications. Culture, tourism, local environments and local economies form a vital mix for the country’s development. An Italy that expresses a desire for participation and a demand for cultural growth. These are aspects that do not contribute to GDP statistics or measures of wealth. Yet they are fundamental to building the (future) GDP of happiness.
