Functional reproduction of living heritage in a tea harvest event

Purpose This study examines how the Tea Harvest Welcoming Event is interpreted in stakeholder narratives in relation to tea culture, cultural heritage, local identity and future potential. It evaluates a harvest-based local event in terms of the selection, representation, transmission and functional interpretation of cultural heritage. Design/methodology/approach The research was designed as a qualitative case study. Data were collected from stakeholder representatives involved in planning, implementing or evaluating the event through a semi-structured written interview form consisting of open-ended questions. The data were analysed through a theory-driven abductive framework analysis informed by the cultural heritage approach and Malinowski's functional theory of culture. Findings The findings show that the cultural meaning of the event is constructed through the first harvest ritual, meci/imece, producer labour, tea tasting, local music, shared emotions and belonging. In stakeholder narratives, the event is considered a setting that supports the intergenerational transmission of tea culture, the continuity of local identity and renewed engagement with tea. The future of the event is also associated with experiential tea tourism, local economic contribution, institutionalization, stakeholder collaboration and the safeguarding of cultural content. Research limitations/implications This research is based on written interview form responses from stakeholder representatives involved in the planning, implementation or evaluation of the Tea Harvest Welcoming Event. Therefore, the findings reflect the evaluations of stakeholders who were directly connected to the event, rather than the general visitor experience. The collection of data during the post-event evaluation meeting may have increased participants' tendency to provide positive evaluations. In addition, the focus of the research on a single event case requires the findings to be interpreted contextually. Future studies may comparatively examine the experiences of visitors, producers, different segments of residents, tourism businesses and public institutions. The development of the event over time, its contribution to the local economy, its effects on younger generations and the long-term outcomes of tea culture transmission may be evaluated through mixed-method research. Comparisons with different harvest festivals may open a broader discussion on the relationship between programme design, local participation and tourism development in cultural heritage-based events. Originality/value The study combines the selection, representation and transmission processes of the critical heritage approach with Malinowski's functional theory of culture to examine tea culture within a harvest-based organized event. Its original contribution lies in showing how programme elements are associated in stakeholder narratives with functions related to cultural transmission, belonging, experience and tourism value.