Ovidius University Annals: Economic Sciences Series (Jan 2021)
The Return of Major Music Festivals in Romania, Postponed due to the COVID-19 Pandemic: Controversies over Possible Discriminations Regarding Not Allowing the Participation of Non-Vaccinated Spectators
Abstract
Events play a major role in promoting the localities that host them and in attracting tourists to the respective destinations. Among the various categories of events, sports events, and festivals, especially music festivals distinguish themselves by the large number of spectators. In the last decade, in Romania, several music festivals have had great success with the public, the number of participants increasing significantly. The measures taken by authorities in the fight against the SARS-CoV-2 virus led to the cancellation, respectively the postponement of important music festivals in Romania, in 2020. This paper analyzes the situation and evolution of the three most important festivals in Romania (UNTOLD, Electric Castle and NEVERSEA) in recent years and the prospects of their organization in the year 2021. The Romanian authorities have decided to restrict access to major events for the people unvaccinated against COVID-19, a measure which can be considered discriminatory.
