Saint Flames! Between Rituals, Urban Safety, Roots Tourism and Heritage Regulation: The Italian Case

Abstract Book of the 7th International Conference on Tourism Management and Hospitality

Year: 2026

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Saint Flames! Between Rituals, Urban Safety, Roots Tourism and Heritage Regulation: The Italian Case

Dr Ada Spiru, Florenca Gjorduni, Maria Buonarota

ABSTRACT:

Rituals involving fire represent a widespread form of intangible cultural heritage across Europe, combining religious symbolism, collective identity and seasonal celebration. At the same time, these practices increasingly generate tensions between cultural preservation and urban safety regulations, particularly in densely populated areas. This work examines the governance of fire-related ritual through the case of Foggia (Italy), where municipal authorities recently prohibited traditional bonfires associated with the celebration of the Immaculate Conception due to concerns related to public safety, environmental impact and urban management. The study contrasts this restrictive local approach with the broader regional policy adopted in Puglia, where ritual fires have been formally recognised as elements of intangible cultural heritage and integrated into cultural and tourism strategies. Drawing on the literature on heritage governance, festival studies and sustainable tourism, the work develops a conceptual framework linking cultural value, risk factors and policy responses. Particular attention is devoted to the growing relevance of diaspora and roots tourism, which increasingly values authentic local traditions and community-based cultural experiences. Using comparative evidence from European fire festivals and a policy-oriented qualitative analysis, the paper also discusses the potential economic implications associated with the suppression of such events. Findings suggest that the governance of fire rituals should move beyond a simple opposition between prohibition and preservation. Instead, more effective approaches may combine controlled risk management, heritage recognition and institutional coordination. The paper concludes by proposing policy recommendations aimed at transforming potentially hazardous practices into regulated cultural events capable of supporting local identity, community participation and sustainable tourism development.

Keywords: Intangible Cultural Heritage, Ritual Fires, Heritage Governance, Risk Regulation, Roots Tourism