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Arrival And Context

Eden Festival is situated in Raehills Medows near Moffat in Dumfries and Galloway. It was founded in 2009 as a breakaway element of the Wickerman Festival, situated near Kircudbright in Dumfries and Galloway (sadly closed its doors in 2016). For the first time I attended Eden festival from the 8th-11th of June this year as a member of the press. Typically I would be attending as an Artist previously.

I took myself down on Thursday morning as my car was filled with the drums for my community wellbeing African drumming group AFRICADABRA. Whilst they were being unloaded I had the privilege and opportunity to explore the festival site whilst it was still being set up. I interviewed trade folk, crew, the main facilitators of the site zones and took photos before the festival began just to capture the mood of the moment. Everything felt quite relaxed within the busyness.

First Impressions

This is the first time I’ve been to Eden since pre-Covid, 2019. The site was a little bit smaller, but when I took in both the landscape and the beautiful weather my first impression was just how accessible the festival was in it’s new layout compared with previous years. Not so much if it had been poor weather but in this setting, this weekend, I was impressed with the difference. Having a disability myself this was a significant notice. Wheelchairs be they manual or electric or scooters could make their way around this current layout very well, in good weather. This was the same for the more mobile but restricted person using walking aids. Accessible camping was situated on much safer smooth ground right at the entrance of the festival site and access to suitable toilets was clear. I noted some difficulties with regard to trading stalls and food vendors but upon speaking with them learned that they made adjustments where necessary. The staff in the food vehicles demonstrated that they would take and bring orders outside of the raised vans and in the trader stalls showed that they were always on hand to move things around when necessary. The festival itself issues carer tickets as support. The size made it easier to get back and forward from the different areas and different zones within the festival site. It felt really cosy and friendly. When I spoke with the traders and the crew often the most important thing was that the festival was an ethical place and that their items, whether that be food, clothing or accessories mostly came from fair trade and other ethical sources. There was availability for people with differing dietary needs. Everyone I interviewed was friendly, open, willing to share their feelings and hopes about the festival and a little something about their journey to get there, both physically and emotionally. The overall aim that all of them discussed was was about creating an inclusive space that felt safe for everyone.

The Festival

From Friday morning when the festival fully began the response to interviews was immense, I’m deeply grateful to those people who were willing to participate, to speak and to share some very personal stories. Their own perspective and feelings with regard to the festival and what mattered to them here and in life generally. Sharing what they were excited about. I just want to take the opportunity to give them a shout out and say thank you so much for speaking to me and I hope that this piece helps to bring a little something back to you. Once the festival was filling what I began to sense was a community. A rather profound and deep sense of community both from newcomers and people who have been attending for years. I received comments such as

“Familiarity”

“I feel welcome and this place really feels like family.”

“It is so personal, the size helps, I just feel free to come together and vibe.”

“It feels like home.”

“I really enjoy coming here and finding like-minded people who seem to understand me.”

From Friday to Sunday I spoke with newcomers, festival regulars, other press members, the volunteer crew, artists, facilitators, healers, matrons (that may sound a little strange, but as with everything Eden there is a story to go with that and I’ll come back to it later) I spoke to people from all walks of life.

Newcomers expressed how they had been told just how happy, relaxed and lovely a place Eden is, that there only ever has been good vibes and when I caught up with many of them Sunday this is exactly the sense people were leaving with. Some shared that it was the most beautiful festival that they had attended, both aesthetically and in heart. I am sure the beaming sun helped.

Eden faithfuls shared how they continue to turn up year after year and that it is still the most vibrant community, family friendly, beautiful, personal and it felt local no matter where they had travelled from. Certainly the energy of the place was both equally chilled and filled with inclusive, immersive, community activity at the same time. There are spaces where people were concentrated and spaces where some were just taking time to themselves quietly. Of course as the heat peaked most would be found in some form of shade. Temperatures were between 26 and 30 degrees this year. The fire pit was up out of the way, not in the centre of the festival where it had been previously and something about this choice was magical. A space to just be.

Being an Eden faithful myself and this year with a new role I took the opportunity to spend some time and speak with the press office team. They were wonderful. The instructions given at the beginning were clear and inclusive. I felt very supported and the area that was offered to us called the ‘Press Garden’ was a static caravan decorated so well. I spoke to the young lady whom I had watched decorate the outside the this year, so carefully and intricately weaving solar lights though a flower panel. It was nice to see her putting in that work to make people feel welcomed. She shared that she enjoyed coming and felt it was nice to see who was here, and who wasn’t because it was a familiar space for her. The decor inside the caravan lounge was eclectic collected from around the world, had a bohemian feel to it. I felt very welcome. The team were very thoughtful and inviting.

The layout of the festival had been so well thought out to ensure that people knew where they were going. Health and safety was of the upmost importance and the crew worked hard to ensure this was well maintained. Every aspect from behind the scenes, venues, stage and activities and the tents was so well managed from what I could see and from what the crew had shared with me. So much effort went into this festival, and feedback by the end of it all those behind the scenes or those who had been managing different areas within the festival really felt it had been a success and had an amazing time.

The Graffiti Mural

Every day, I watched two graffiti artists working on two pieces that were conjoined and I watched each piece evolve and come together until their finished form. On Saturday, I interviewed both the artists and the first artist you can find online under the handle @bemoresketchy (both on Facebook and Instagram) he talked about being a mural artist, spray paint was his predominant medium. He works on a commission based set up, can paint whatever and had chosen the garden of Eden theme. He happened to run in the same circle as Frank (the other artist). They decided to do a collaboration together.

I also spoke with Frank, who was creating a profound portrait. I had watched him from the moment he began sketching and witnessed the evolution daily. He told me that the piece was of Deloris Cacuango, an indigenous Equadorian activist. Her native culture was being completely wiped out and she fought hard for her right to exist. Frank felt that she deserved some representation. It’s something that he has wanted to paint for a while. Frank can be found under the handle of @artisanartworks (both on Facebook and Instagram) He has been painting at Eden festival for years bringing his kids and his partner with him, felt “it is a great wee place and loved it and will continue to return.”

The Family Experience

On the note of Frank and his family returning to the festival again and again, what really struck me in this new role, more observant than involved, was how family orientated the festival is. I interviewed families to gain their perspective, they would tell me time and again that they found the whole festival was designed around children from birth up. On doing a little retrospective research I found that Eden was voted Best Family Festival in the UK 2014. I have been bringing my own daughter since 2016 but she was a teenager so I hadn’t personally considered the younger family experience before. Of course I was aware many families attended but it just hadn’t been in my personal field of focus. It was deeply heart warming to hear the different families all in their different forms speak of the festival as a community of their own that they look forward to each year. For newcomers they were telling me they have found a new community that they felt they belonged to.

“A home from home.”

“There is everything to do”

“I just came down for the day because it was my first time and I really regret not booking the whole weekend and bringing my children. I feel that this would’ve really meant something to them. They would’ve enjoyed themselves.”

A lady who had been helping out in the children’s area. Told me “I’ve come four times since 2009 when it began, my daughter was 18 months and now she is 15! We are still coming, still loving it and are still having a ball.” Her partner told me it was “dead, relaxing, dead friendly and you can just let the kids run riot, you know it is safe. It is the most amazingly chilled festival that you could attend, a good place to come.”

The children’s area was amazing. There was so much activity in a massive play area both inside large tents and around smaller covered areas. A party and Entertainment Service Wee Messy Crafters hosted a wonderful play area.

“The kids just love the freedom of being able to create without limits, it is okay to make a mess. Okay to just be in the larger children’s tent too as there is continuous activities, creative, nature and community based.”

The children’s tent was always full. A group of mothers shared with me me how satisfied they were with the experience. They shared some of their children’s art work, some of the messy play that they were doing and chatted a lot about the activities they were doing to get ready for the big Sunday parade.

“The parade is fun and people dress up and have fun”

“The kids have really had fun they are taken with everything, the activities, the circus skills, the painting the lot!“

In general the Children’s Field containing play areas, circus workshops, art and craft zones, music making opportunities and the Meladrome was awe making and inspiring. A space for everyone of all ages to come together and play.

I witnessed an amazing man made vehicle that I struggle to describe so hopefully these images give a better sense…

I found myself drawn time and again back to this wonderful stage area called the Meladrome. The Meladrome is a family stage with an extended and forever extending group of friends. The focus of the stage is mainly theatre and cabaret with some musicians and community participation. My heart was pulled initially by the community lip synching battle where people from the audience dressed up and lip synched their favourite songs. The participants were from a broad age range and the crowd loved and cheered them on. As well as this there was Skarobics where festival goers would exercise to Ska music, this was pretty spectacular to witness. Dancing and music, competitions, balloons and free tea for all were the amazing themes of this delightful arena situated at the top of the kids field. I sat down for a moment and chatted away to the woman next to me who turned out to be one of the leads and vast crew for this stage. She invited me backstage for an interview. Much was spoken about but most of all was the vision of a man (Chaz) who has since passed away for this performance zone to become a community owned movement. This tremendous performance space runs mostly on kindness and community. There are 7 Directors and around 200 people who help out, every person finding their own role and carrying it out to the best of their ability to support the magic to happen. They call themselves The Meladrome Collective. Seeing this happening behind the scenes of the stage area was something rather special. I interviewed two ladies (Lucy and Janey) who referred to themselves as matrons (I said I would come back to this) neither liked to hold the title of leader as to them there was no hierarchy or matriarchy, just a group of people who worked together respectfully and cohesively “chipping in” to deliver the Meladrome programme. They most looked forward to what they called the tuneless choir where the only rule was that anyone joining in must feel that they didn’t know how to sing. “It is virtually impossible to sing out of tune when you are singing with others everyone seems to come together” The performances were incredible.

“Totally chuffed to be here.”

“Its ace to come up here, it’s our Scottish festival. Eden is so compact and good quality”

“It’s really tidy”

“People feel included”

“Play charades, musical statues and What’s The Time Mr Wolf”

The African drummers AFRICADABRA deeply enjoyed themselves also as they held daily workshops and created the beat for the festival parade. People enjoyed learning to drum and take shade under the tent. One young girl Amy had just come fresh from the children’s stage where she most beautifully sang ‘A Million Dreams’ from The Greatest Showman film. She liked drumming and did well to keep up. Children of all ages 5-75 took part.

“It was a wonderful experience to be included.”

There was also another drumming workshop later in the evening facilitated by a man named Chris. I wasn’t quick enough to catch him as the sessions were busy but people appeared to be enjoying themselves.

There was a real sense of ownership. The facilitator of the children space (Sara Best) was amazing, so open, warm and smiling even when it was difficult and things were going at a very fast pace and the heat was intense. Still, she held a smile, was inclusive, listening and people shared with me that they felt they and their kids mattered.

Beside this area there was a healing zone ‘Soundsphere Sound Temple’ with amazing workshops designed around well-being, exploring how we feel, guided meditation. Inviting us to relax and take really good care of ourselves. This area was facilitated by a cohort of people who pulled together to create the space, the tone, pace, cadence, sound and compassion was perfect. I took part myself in a couple of workshops and interviewed some fellow attendees.

“The sharing and the openness of these people was truly heartfelt and joyful. I felt so much better when I left the tent. I wish I did this more often.”

At some point in what felt like a dreamy Saturday afternoon I witnessed two children around the age of 10 who looked like they were in a fight. My brain couldn’t make sense of what I was looking at until my sleepy heat filled mind realised that they were in the centre of a ring and a woman stood by with a clock around her neck. At the opposite side stood a man with a megaphone wearing a cloak and another man sat in a man-made wooden throne with all sorts of curiosities around him. To some this may sound like I was having some bizarre dream like Alice in Wonderland, but no, I began to realise that this was a playful wrestling match. Just another magical garden moment.

Backstage

I interviewed some artists backstage, every person had only wonderful things to say about the experience of Eden. Again some newcomers and some faithfuls. They too reflected this sense of community that everyone else had on some level shared.

“Inclusivity is how I’d sum it up, all sorts of jazzy here.” said one

“This is my tribe! I’m home, I’m home”

“I can’t wait to get changed get back out there and party with my garden family”

Dumfries Community Choir (DCC) by far had the largest performers on stage. The have been performing at Eden for a number of years now, they were courageous and spectacular. I took the opportunity to meet and speak with them backstage and here are some of the things they had to say:

“Eden is the highlight of our year”

“Gary, the director is phenomenal.”

“We have some new Ukrainian members, they are a great addition.”

“Everybody here at the choir support each other, it is a very friendly and welcoming place.”

One member told me she had been coming for five years and said “It gets better every year. It feels very chilled out and there is never any sense of pressure” They were so happy because they had just met a performer they had been following TikTok. “That’s made my day!”

“Backstage can be quite chaotic but it’s great to do all the warm-ups and it feels very exciting. Usually DCC would be on following Mr motivator but not this year as he isn’t here this time. He had always been quite the warm-up, pun intended.”

Front Of Stage

I was taking some photos of a band on stage when a man equally taking photos asked if I knew how to use my camera because he was new to his, but he was here taking pictures of his daughter,16, on stage. The band had only been together for six months. Named La-Zuli they came from Glasgow and this was their second ever gig on stage, all students. I felt in awe of these girls playing. Again this reflected that sense of something for everyone here at Eden, family inclusive and giving real opportunities to people. The band were great.

As I moved along to take more photos. A couple told me that their names are David and Lucy and they were from Glasgow were there to watch their friends on stage who also were in La-zuli. They told me it was the first time they had come to Eden, but it was such a nice and friendly place and so family orientated. “It is nice to see our friends included up there on the stage.”

A little later, in the day, I bumped into a couple who had come from Leeds and were there supporting a band that was made up of their friends. The young lady was being their photographer. They shared that they themselves have started their own band during lockdown but they weren’t playing at Eden this year. However I was curious and asked them more they told me that they had some underground gigs. “The band is called Hinata which means sunny place in Japanese because we started during lockdown and felt stuck inside a house dreaming of sunny places.” I just thought this was wonderful.

The most stunning sight stage front was the Ceilidh played by Sharny Beats Dance Band. The sheer beauty of strangers dancing together in such joy whilst stirring up the paint powder from the ground into the air around them from an earlier event was something special!

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I met and interviewed so many people from different backgrounds with so many different stories. On the Saturday I offered people the opportunity to have their photos taken and offer a quote to go alongside in a ‘Faces Of Eden’ segment. Here are a handful:

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Finding Heart In The Belly Of The Garden

The most profound conversation I had came from a lady called Carol. “I come to Eden to get away from the programmed life. Here I can be authentic and just totally let go, to just be my true self without all the bullshit.” She then went on to say “Coming here to a space like this let’s us be who we are as humans and grounded with the Earth. Coming from a city, I feel separated, divided from my true being, my true nature.” Deep soul conversation.

I learned that Carol would be the lady that would be living off the grid in a cottage with goats, cows and chickens. Very little tech. Growing her own veg because to her our planet really matters.

“School has little to offer in the way of connecting with our true humanity. The children are getting told stories about history but not the full truth, not being told what life was like before money, banks and greed became the main focus. Prior to this people lived their lives very differently. We are here to look after the planet and each other, but we haven’t… as a human race we have ruined it and each other.” This was something she felt strongly about, a profound reflection.

We went on to have a conversation about life before technology and the days when we were young. We talked about how we had intuition and we just knew things without having to look it up. For example, what time your friend would be home or where they might be. When we were out playing we knew by the light when to be home. Today Carol has two teenagers and she shared “Our kids are attached to a false reality and they are detached from themselves because they look at everything through gaming or a phone.” I was left wondering just how deeply this is affecting our youngsters (not all but most) how detached they have become from proper human connection, what effect is this having on them physically and psychologically and then what does community mean to them in their context? Questions to explore another day with a different crowd.

Since we were right in the heart of life I took the opportunity to ask her what she felt the point of life was. She replied “For being present here in the moment! Feeling the air, seeing the beauty in things because that is what makes everything worthwhile! We are set to be tested with who we are because of how we were brought up. Both good and bad lives within us, it’s about learning how to balance that.”

She shared that “Although sometimes we feel close to others actually we can be quite far apart.” She shared a private experience and asked me to share the Too Much Woman poem:

“I feel that people can become so lost, and we should be helping each other just by reaching out if we feel that something might be wrong. Non-invasively but gently just checking in. We are born to love. This is our innate human nature but through our lives we are heartbroken in both big and little ways time and again. For some this can mean feeling shattered into tiny pieces and each time that can cause a tiny little hole in the heart. These tiny holes get bigger and bigger and it is really important to reconnect to the air, earth and with yourself. A way in which to do that is to come here or to any festival, a place like this where you can just come and let go of everything else in your life for a moment.”

Everything this woman had to say deeply moved me.

I also spoke to a man called Vinny, who told me “I feel connected to myself here, but when I go home I know I’m going to feel depressed and trapped in my life. It doesn’t feel like mine.” It hit my heart hard. I checked that he had support, he assured me he did. He said “Although I feel like that, in comparison to others, I have a pretty good life” again this hit me quite hard. How is it that this man paradoxically feels that he has a good life but at the same time it caused him to feel depressed and trapped. It left me with questions about society and the choices that we either make or feel we have to make or are perhaps not even aware of making. How it leads us and how we can get lost somewhere along the way that we find ourselves so disconnected from our most authentic selves. He followed with “It is good to be here it is a real community of relaxed people. I feel a real connection with people, it feels good. This festival feels far healthier than the life I am leading at home, but still I feel I shouldn’t complain.” He shared “It is good to be away from the absorption of a capitalist machine society that just feels false. Even the smallest events have the biggest impact so it is important what you pay attention to and how you respond to that.”

The depth of meaning people attached to this festival space felt infinite and there was a profound sense of intrinsic connection, a familiar family of strangers.

On the whole people told me that they just felt free to come together and see what happened, it was always an adventure and is something that (will) always stay(s) in their hearts and minds.

In this different role I got a wider view of the festival, its participants, crew, artists and traders. I have been blown away by the depth and many layers of community within community in this place. My heart has been filled with much love, respect and privilege to share time with such awesome people. Now it is time for me to reflect further on all that has been shared over this wonderful weekend. Let’s see what manifests with time in response.

Thank you Eden!

For more pictures of the faces, crowds and bands of the Festival please head over to my instagram page @staciereflects