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| video Jorge Rey |
I’ve been fortunate enough to play at some of the most famous festivals around the world. From Vancouver to New York, I have seen the stage from the other side and even returned on a few occasions and have been able to appreciate the transformative effect these festivals can have on cities. It would be difficult to image New Orleans without Jazzfest or Chicago without the Blues festival, popular festivals that have become so intertwined with the lives of the cities that it would be impossible to think of one without the other. The music may only last a week but its echo reverberates year round. Could the same be said of WOMAD? True, the festival has brought Caceres to the attention of some around the world but my question is what has it brought back to Caceres in return? Where are the partnerships and initiatives with local associations and startups? After twenty seven years, more than a generation, you would think that some sort of musical partnership would have been formed with an institution like the conservatory to investigate the links between Extremaduran folk music and the rest of the Mediterranean. Or a dance program that explored dances from around the world. How about workshops in schools throughout the year to confront racism? Or instead of complaining every year, how about a plan with the science department of the University to tackle the enormous amounts of garbage and human waste that the festival generates? But no, the English are smart. For centuries they have been selling their brand to lands beyond their isle, reaping the benefits from their colonies and leaving little in return (except their monarchy on occaion). It’s time to ask for something in return. Ghandi, who would have appreciated the original ethos of the festival, once said that the difference between what we do and what we are capable of doing would suffice to solve most of the world’s problems, and here we’re talking about a local scale. The M in WOMAD for music and D for dance should ring throughout the year or if not, the name should be changed to WOPAP. A World Of Plastic And Piss.
