Roskilde Festival

I will do my best to describe the Roskilde Festival accurately, but you may want to check out the official web page or another write-up.  The event is a non-profit with money going to the groups that volunteer (football clubs, private schools, political groups) and to charities chosen by the festival committee.

I knew the festival was rated as one of the largest in Europe and I had seen the numbers - 80,000 in attendance, another 20,000 people working and volunteering.  I didn't really understand it until Monday, when I had a doctor's appointment at 9:15. (They don't use a.m. and p.m. because they assume you know that I wouldn't have a doctor's appointment at night - if they think there will be confusion they will add something like 'in the evening' and all schedules, like trains, use the 24-hour clock.  But I digress.)  The office is on the main walking street and not too many people were around, although some vendors were setting up stands with hats, sunglasses, flip-flops, and flags.  When I returned later the same day the place was swarming even though the first concert was not for three days.

near the train station

Even though the first concert is always a Thursday evening, the campground opens (or vaeltning af hegnet, when the fences are knocked down) on Saturday evening.  This gives everyone many days to drink and unwind (to get it out of their systems?  to warm up?) before the main event.

a modest amount because they were shopping just for the day

Some people had dollies of beer and wine and the lines in the stores were enough make me shop elsewhere.

The library is a bit off the main drag, but they had signs up everywhere encouraging people to stop in, noting that they not only had toilets, they had toilet paper!

I had seen pictures of the tent cities and heard stories about the trash and more serious problems.  I had also heard about the recycling program and cultural events.  I thought I would take a peek and see for myself, but when I rode to the site I couldn't see a thing.  I am not sure if I was relieved or disappointed.

In previous years there had been big name groups like Beastie Boys, Bjork, and Red Hot Chili Peppers in 2007.  This year's headliners are Iron Maiden, Arctic Monkeys, and many bands I didn't know.

If you have read this far you might be interested in what really happens at the festival.  Or you might not really be interested in what happens when thousands and thousands of young people get together, in which case you should stop here.

If you are still reading you might be interested to know that the official site has a video all about urination.  Even more typically Danish was this article about sex at the festival (translated with help from Google Translate).  A video, including photographs, about this is also at the official site.

Family Planning Association at the festival took on two notable initiatives: Kussomaten and Pikkomaten
It will, in all its challenging simplicity, say that the festival guests at the Sex and Society stand may have photographed their genitalia. They can also participate in the so-called Sexgames and get advice on safe sex plus win a year's supply of condoms.  Sasja Kalledsøe Project Manager explains, "Being able to take a picture of his dick or pussy is to increase her body awareness, and too many new ways to express himself with his body on.  Many young people are unsure whether their pussy or cock looks common." According Sasja Kalledsøe believe that unique approach to ordinary people.  "In Family Planning, we experience an increased focus on these things.  This is achieved at how many young people asking if it is normal that their inner labia are longer than the outer, that one is longer than the other.  Or ask about how you can get plastic surgery."  Kussomaten and Pikkomaten is a unique opportunity to directly show how different everyday dicks and vaginas look. In 9 years the Family Planning Association has been part of the festival's entertainment program in the days leading up to the gates opening into the festival site, and this year is no exception. Around 18 volunteers from the organization in the coming days create a platform where sexuality and gender are the focus. Every day from kl. 10 to 16 trained advisors will be ready on the phone to answer questions from guests. Every day at kl. 13, three teams compete in disciplines like which is best condom, find the hole, and Condom Dance.  Festival Guests can also socialize with cut / paste, and create both dicks and cunts in papier-mâché. Every day at kl. 15.30 is an author and speaker Lars Ylander past and count erotic stories. STIs-monster released loose on the camping area, where it will rub one in every four guests, just as in the real world.  In total, the organization expects to distribute 15,000 free condoms in the days leading up to festvalpladsen opens on Thursday 30 June.

Not surprisingly, the event is not billed as family-friendly, even though children under ten are free and there is one area that is designated silent and clean.  The older people I know are either volunteering or going just for the day and not the camping.  Or maybe that is just what they tell me!