Thematic analysis of questionnaire responses

A: (I have joined) Since Corona's first opera at her house as a sponsor (and I rejoin every year) because Corina asks me every time.

JB: I came to help at the opera because my parents have known Corina for a long time.

J: I became curious about Opera Spanga because Corina was our next-door neighbour.

However, one of the younger people who participated in our research mentioned that apart from her family’s friendship with van Eijk, the fun and social side of the experience is what she enjoyed the most and is what makes her join every year.

JB (19 years old): I also really enjoyed the fun. It is also nice to talk to many different people and get to know them.

It is important to note that only one of them admits to joining because of a love for operatic music. This element could be used against those supporting that art projects should be funded equally as sports activities, while the contribution of the latter can be easily proved. However, the benefits of the aesthetic experience have been discussed in the literature section.

F:I have been fascinated by opera since I was a teenager. (...) Shortly after I moved to a village near Spanga, Corina van Eijk started Opera Spanga and I attended the first several productions. I was overwhelmed by the quality of her work and how much she was able to achieve with little means.

J: We never go to other opera performances, we like rock music more.

Another interesting aspect that emerged from the responses was that people joined in order to break their routine. It is safe to assume that retired people that have more free time are willing to join activities that would change their scenery, make them feel useful again and let them have social interactions with others. This is also an important factor regarding mental health but that will be examined in the following paragraph.

R: The main reason for helping was curiosity. The opera world was completely unknown to me. I was ready for a new challenge.

5.5.2 Personal Development

One of the main areas of interest in the present thesis is the impact of the Opera Spanga project on the personal development of the local participants. The results from the qualitative research conducted show that this development has happened in many ways. First of all, many of the Interviewees mention that their experience has broadened their horizons regarding other cultures and has given them the perspective of a different working environment.

JB: The experience of the opera and the diversity of people who help during the opera helped me to think more broadly about things.

J: (This experience) It has confirmed my opinion that all people are equal, whether they come from the Netherlands, Belgium, Morocco or Greece.

F: I was intrigued by being involved in a different working environment. I learned how difficult it can be not to have regular steady employment.

R: I discovered that the world of opera is completely different from my world and the world of my environment.

At the same time, some of them mention that they have acquired new interests related to arts and culture. Also as seen before, even those who did not become opera admit that they watch the Opera Spanga performances and that undoubtedly is giving them an aesthetic experience they would not get otherwise.

R: I have become a fan of opera. (...) I have had a big boost in the field of art and culture. The opera production, theatre visits, museums, even playing along.

J: We never go to other opera performances.

One striking finding in our analysis was that almost everyone confirmed the gain of social skills through interaction with different people, team work ability and boost of self-confidence.

JB: By helping a lot of people and also helping guests I really learned to become more social.

J: I've learned to work together with other people.

F: Before Spanga I often had stage fright. (...) I also feel more confident in performing and public speaking.

R: I have learned a lot (...) One of them was social contacts. (...) The growth of self-confidence. Better cooperation and understanding with the crew.

A: I feel freer with the things I can say and the way I communicate with people.

5.5.3 Health and Well-Being

Surprisingly, none of the participants noticed any changes in their mood or physical conditions after joining the project. However, this result occurred as people don’t usually see clear connections between socialising, boost of confidence, release of stress and health. In the case of mental health, these elements are even more important, especially for older people who are likely to isolate themselves after retirement and need to keep feeling useful for others. Moreover, the need to remain physically active is also something that is highly important for health. Another confusing factor is the time duration of Opera Spanga's presence in the area. As some of the people are joining the project for many years in a row it is possible that some improvements in their health are not directly connected to Opera Spanga.

J: I have not noticed any changes, I feel good and cheerful both at opera Spanga and in everyday life.

Nevertheless, in this case, maybe the question was formed in the wrong way, or the results could not be obvious unless the participants would go under health tests.

5.5.4 Identity Development

To the question “Do you think that the way people see you or the way you see yourself has changed?” almost everyone responded negatively. It could be possible that as most of the volunteers are middle-aged their identity has already been formed or that the formation of the question was not correct.

However, there was one participant that admitted his engagement with the opera and his appearance on stage as an extra made him proud of himself and influenced his public image. Furthermore, considering himself a part of Opera Spanga is definitely something that connects to his narrative and personal identity. It is important to mention that only this participant had a creative role in the productions. Thus, it is possible that engaging with the creative parts of the project is what helps in this identity development and affirmation.

F: I feel that I have gained a certain respect from friends and acquaintances who have attended Opera Spanga productions and I am proud to be a part of such a well-known phenomenon.

5.5.5 Local Image

It is obvious that Opera Spanga boosts the image of the local area not only to outsiders but also to the residents as well. Participants responded that they have not changed the way they see the place they live after joining the opera project, but as it is going on for more than 30 years it has now become an integral part of it. So it is possible that one of the reasons for feeling proud about their home village is also Opera Spanga.

Nevertheless, they all admit that the opera helps Spanga become more well-known.

JB: I always felt proud of Spanga, but it's nice to say that something so big is organised every year in such a small village. (...) The opera also puts the village of Spanga more on the map, there will probably be enough people who would otherwise never have heard of the village.

J: I have noticed sometimes when we meet new people, they have heard about Spanga because of the Opera Spanga.

M: Opera Spanga has actually been part of my living environment for 35 years. It is, besides storks, what Spanga is known for.

F: It took me a while to get used to the area when I came here in my 40's. Connecting Opera Spanga with my new place made me love both even more.

5.5.5 Social Cohesion

One of our main research questions is the influence of the Opera Spanga to the social cohesion among local residents. As assumed many of the interviewees mentioned this experience brought them closer to their neighbours. Especially in the case of F., an outsider who moved to the area of Spanga some years ago, joining the project proved as a way to integrate with locals.

J: I have come into contact with other people (from the local area), volunteers, whom I did not know well before.

M: We have more personal contact with some people now.

F: Working with Spanga always gave me something to talk about when I met up with locals.

Undoubtedly, the growth of social capital and the strengthening of the bonds among the residents of Spanga who meet up and learn how to work together in the environment of an opera production can prove very useful in other community matters.

Furthermore, the development of tolerance, the improvement of social skills and the

boost of confidence mentioned as personal impacts are factors that also help individuals interact efficiently within the social domain.

5.5.6 Community Revitalisation

There are no indications that people who joined Opera Spang gained leadership skills as they didn’t take part in decision making. Thus, it is not clear that this project will lead to other community organisations and actions. However, some of the participants reported that through this experience they had insight into the difficulties of a large production and some others said they would join a similar project or community organisation in the future.

R: The void will be filled by other forms of art and culture, like Oranjewoud Festival, Oranjestein project, dance theatre and a lot of reading.

J: Not yet, but I'm open to it.

M: It provides some insight into the complexity of organising a production.

Nonetheless, almost all of the interviewees acknowledge some positive impact of this project on the local economy, though for some of them it is not that noticeable.

M: Local purchasing (food) increases the turnover of local entrepreneurs. It also attracts people who would otherwise not have come to our region. It thus contributes directly and indirectly to the tourism sector.

JB: I think so, in terms of the economy, the cafés are visited more often because the opera is so popular. (...) The opera also puts the village of Spanga more on the map, there will probably be enough people who would otherwise never have heard of the village.

F: Other than purchases made locally for the needs of the opera production and the fact local accommodations like B&B were used by people who attended, I couldn't say.

J: No, because most of the employees come from far away. Only maybe the B and B that earns something from the overnight stays.

In that case, it is likely that there is more time needed in order to observe such things. Another factor is the formation of a specific question that could be misleading. Maybe a more straightforward question about the relationship of participants with politics and the influence of the Opera Spanga projects on that sector could be more efficient.