Evaluation of the relationship between festival satisfaction and perceived authenticity the Sur Kültür Yolu Festival case

Diyarbakır, with its historic city walls, inner fortress, multi-layered urban structure, traditional residential architecture, and the heritage of numerous civilizations, presents a unique cultural identity and stands as one of Turkey's most prominent historical cities. This study focuses on the Sur Culture Route Festival, which is considered a significant event with high potential to promote the city's cultural heritage. It aims to analyze the relationship between the perceived authenticity of the festival and the level of satisfaction among its participants. The main objective of the research is to reveal the satisfaction levels of the local population who attended the Sur Culture Route Festival—an event believed to reflect the cultural elements of Diyarbakır—and to examine the relationship between this satisfaction and the perceived authenticity of the experience. In this context, identifying the strengths and aspects in need of improvement in the festival is important for providing data that can guide future cultural event planning. The limited number of studies in the literature that simultaneously address the concepts of festival satisfaction and perceived authenticity increases the originality and contribution potential of this research. The study population consists of local residents who participated in the Sur Culture Route Festival held between October 14–22, 2023. A total of 413 individuals were included in the sample, determined through a convenience sampling method. The research was conducted using a quantitative research design, and data were collected via a survey instrument composed of two main scales—festival satisfaction and perceived authenticity—as well as demographic questions. The surveys were administered face-to-face during the festival. The data obtained were analyzed using appropriate statistical methods, and the findings were interpreted accordingly. The analysis results indicate that as participants' perceptions of the festival's authenticity increase, their satisfaction levels also rise significantly. This finding reveals that cultural identity and authentic experiences are key factors influencing festival satisfaction. The outcomes of the research provide important insights for developing strategies to enhance the sustainability of cultural festivals and their contribution to local development, thereby offering an original contribution to the existing body of literature.