AN EXAMINATION OF PERCEIVED RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH SONG AND DANCE CELEBRATION 2023: PARTICIPANTS’ AND ORGANIZERS’ PERSPECTIVES

The management of mega-events requires careful consideration of various risks such as crowding, weather conditions, and terrorist threats, determined by continuous changes in the non-ergodic world. However, there is a lack of comprehensive research on risk management in the context of cultural mega-events. This study aims to address this gap by examining the perceived risks associated with the Latvian Song and Dance Celebration 2023 from the perspectives of both organizers and participants. The study identified challenges related to communication, fund utilization transparency, and time management. These challenges were investigated through interviews with organizers representing different management levels and through questionnaires distributed to participants. Participants expressed concerns about safety, weather, catering, and force majeure situations. The study found that the perceived risks vary between organizers and participants, as well as among organizers based on their management levels.