conviviality

Conviviality refers to the quality of sociability in which people enjoy friendly, inclusive, and spontaneous interaction. The term derives from the Latin convivium, a feast or social gathering, and the adjective convivial describes a lively, hospitable atmosphere that fosters mutual enjoyment and ease in social company.

In social theory, conviviality is used to describe modes of living that emphasize communal participation and shared pleasures rather than hierarchical control. The concept gained broad attention through Ivan Illich's Tools for Conviviality (1973), where he argued that society should be organized around tools and technologies that empower ordinary people to collaborate and shape their own environments, rather than being controlled by centralized institutions.

In anthropology and cultural studies, conviviality is pursued in everyday settings such as meals, festivals, and informal gatherings where social ties are reinforced, norms negotiated, and collective identity expressed.

In urban and digital contexts, scholars discuss how public spaces, neighborhoods, and online communities cultivate conviviality by encouraging participation, accessibility, and respectful discourse. Critics note that conviviality can obscure exclusion or reproduce power imbalances when only certain groups are able to participate or when celebrations suppress dissent.

See also: social capital, hospitality, community, and cultural festival.