We are super inspired by all of the sustainability initiatives of Ireland’s 3-day ‘Body&Soul’ music festival happening this weekend: June 21-23. The festival emphasises atmospheric engineering over main attractions and hype: “We want our festival-goers to enjoy an ‘experience’ rather than just a gig – we’re sustainability conscious, without being too-in-your-face; unique rather than boutique.”
An hour from Dublin, the festival will be set across the 300 acre estate of Ballinlough Castle, it’s private lake, surrounding woodlands and fifteenth century walled gardens. Not bad, not bad at all!
The festival prides itself on being able to host a “unique and indescribable magic – an atmosphere so often lost in generic festivals and productions”.
Sustainability initiatives for the festival are so unique and engaging, that the festival even bears a “Social Responsibility Award” as granted by the Irish Festival Awards.
Some of the sustainable initiatives of this year include:
- ‘Pimp My Bin’ – a competition for the design and creation of a unique and artistically attractive recycling centre as an art installation for the festival, and to encourage recycling habits
- ‘Green Ideas’ – a competition, which asks the festival patrons for their ideas on how to become a more sustainable festival
- Sponsored Cycling to the Festival– each bike on its way to Body&Soul in support of Green Sod Ireland, is entitled to a professional bike check, baggage transfer, a massage on arrival, bus transportation home, and a ticket to the Body&Soul Festival, WOW!
- ‘Us&You’ campsite – a new and unique camping experience dedicated to those with a greener conscience
- Green VIP Package – a reward system for more responsible members of the festival audience as well as sustainability competition winners
Still curious? You can read even more about the Body&Soul sustainability strategy here.
We are so inspired by all of these sustainability initiatives but enjoy the festival’s dedication to engaging festival-goers with this programming the most! Well done! With performing acts this year like soulful Charles Bradley & His Extraordinaries, Nicolas Jaar, Solange, as well as Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds, we are DEFINITELY penning this event into our calendar for 2014 holidays already…
But maybe you can go this year? Lucky for you, there are still tickets.
Keep up to date with the festival and it’s sustainability initiatives on their facebook page.