Comunicación Participativa en las Fiestas de San Sebastián de Ternera

Abstract

This research-creation project addresses the weakening of the San Sebastián de Ternera Festival in Cartagena as a manifestation of intangible cultural heritage. It begins with the recognition of this festival as a space for collective memory, territorial identity, and intergenerational transmission of knowledge, which in recent decades has experienced a decline in community participation, especially among younger generations. The main objective is to design a participatory communication strategy that contributes to recovering, strengthening, and transmitting the social meanings, cultural practices, and memories associated with the festival. Methodologically, a qualitative, participatory, and situated approach is adopted, supported by techniques such as semi-structured interviews, participant observation, social mapping, and intergenerational workshops. The results reveal a breakdown in cultural transmission, a transformation of festive practices, and a symbolic disconnection between generations. However, opportunities for revitalization are also identified through community co-creation and the use of contemporary communication tools. As a central product, the project proposes the production of a community mini-documentary that articulates oral history, territorial transformations, and safeguarding proposals. It is concluded that participatory communication is a key tool for reactivating the social fabric, strengthening the appropriation of heritage, and ensuring the continuity of the manifestation as a living memory.