Events and Mindfulness – A Study at Vibra Festival: Art, Sport and Music

Abstract

A leisure routine can be strengthened or weakened by the influence of the processes of mindfulness, involvement, engagement with an environment or an activity that is being performed (Langer, 2014). Linked to this, the use of public space and the promotion of cultural, sporting and entertainment events in these places, have been increasing. This study investigates the experiences of visitors to an event held in the Municipal Park of the city of Belo Horizonte, the Vibra Festival that included music, art and sport. In order to understand how the level of mindfulness influences participation and involvement in a festival, 19 in-depth interviews were conducted with participants of the event. The collection was performed on September 2, 2017 through semi-structured scripts. Responses were recorded, transcribed and analyzed using content analysis. The results indicate that mindfulness and awareness can contribute to more positive experiences, greater immersion and interaction with event, indication and future visitation. Feelings of belonging as well as identification with the local have shown themselves to be influencers of mindfulness.