Intercultural Participation of Chinese Migrants in the Chinese New Year Festival: Case Studies of Barcelona and Amsterdam

This paper explores Chinese migrants' intercultural participation in Barcelona and Amsterdam's Chinese New Year festivals (2024). It examines how local actors collaborate to organise these cultural festivals, identifying similarities and variations between the two case studies. The research further explores how varying local policy paradigms shape the organisation of traditional cultural festivals, influence the context of festivals, and affect the relationships among actors involved in their planning and execution. The guiding research question is: "How do Chinese migrants participate in the Chinese New Year festivals in Barcelona and Amsterdam?" Focusing on intercultural participation, the paper seeks to shed light on the role of Chinese migrants in maintaining and adapting cultural traditions within these urban settings. A qualitative methodology is employed, using micro-ethnography, which includes non-participant observation and ethnographic conversations with Chinese migrants during the two festivals. Additionally, semi-structured interviews with policymakers and representatives from Chinese and cultural associations involved in the festival organisation provide a deeper understanding of the collaborative processes. The study also explores how Chinese migrants, often perceived as segregated, use cultural festivals as a tool to participate in society. The paper adopts a comparative perspective on the interactions between migrants and local governance frameworks, contributing to the broader discussion on intercultural participation within the context of cultural festivals. This research highlights the significance of cultural festivals in promoting intercultural participation, reducing segregation, and fostering cooperation among local actors in diverse urban settings. Preliminary results indicate that while cultural festivals provide opportunities for intercultural participation, differences in local policies significantly impact the extent to which Chinese migrants can actively participate in the broader society.