Start of something new: narratological experiences of students and teachers at the Yilan festival

This qualitative study narrates the experiences of teachers and students from Bataan High School for the Arts (BHSA) who participated in the 2023 Yilan International Children's Folklore and Folkgame Festival in Taiwan. Using a narrative research design, the study aimed to explore how festival participation influences personal growth, emotional engagement, and the preservation of cultural and educational values. A total of 25 participants—seven teachers and eighteen students—were selected through purposive sampling. Data were gathered through semi-structured interviews, which experts validated to ensure depth and reliability. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed using QUIRKOS, a visual and intuitive qualitative data analysis software. Three themes were of central significance. First, there was cultural immersion, learning, and personal growth reported by participants, contrasted with challenges such as strict timetables and cultural adaptation. Second, there were emotional experiences characterized by excitement, enjoyment, and a deep sense of awe that underpinned their most enduring memories of the event. Third, participants highlighted the significance of the sharing of story and experience in the passing on of festival values, with community engagement and legacy as the dominant themes that emerged. The research focuses on the power of global cultural festivals to transform identity, promote intercultural understanding, and enhance lifelong learning. The research adds to the general knowledge base regarding how these festivals are not only cultural events but also platforms for emotional enrichment and value-sharing, making festivals applicable in educational and community establishment contexts.