Before we start, we would like to thank Nicole Salwan, one of the organizers of Forestronika festival, who gave us the opportunity to better understand the true concept behind this festival and how the attendees can benefit from it while preserving nature’s beauty and health.
Unlike the typical festivals we now attend, Forestronika helps you celebrate nature and learn how to properly utilize it; yet still enjoy the musical theme in the festival.
Q: Let us first elaborate on the festival and the true meaning behind it.
A: It is a festival, but it is also a community prior to being a festival; we express ourselves by doing the events and the festivals, and lately through beach camps. But what we support most of all is the roots, the nature. We want to celebrate nature by doing music, art and cultural exchange inside of nature while respecting it and teaching others. It is not in the basic learning of the Lebanese so it starts with how to be sustainable in the place you are camping in, what to throw, and the side effects of your actions. We attempt to give alternative solutions. Use biodegradable soap while bathing in the river so you wouldn’t kill the fish, smoke but not throw the butts in nature for the sake of insects. The attendees are provided with plastic bags, plastic tubes, and the soap on the entrance. Once they get the package they understand that it is an experience not an event. You can party, listen to live music, and dance on an electronic dance floor. You can listen to local and international talents for the cost of one night in Beirut. It is affordable and is even attractive for those who are not much into camping but open to exploring nature.
Q; What is the reason behind the title; Flowmotion?
A: Ever since 2012, we have dropped and added a lot of things into the content of the program. After 2013 it was called “The Other Side”, we were literally passing into the other side of the river for camping by crossing 2 bridges. More interesting people were coming and asking for more workshops and more solutions to sustainability. So we added many things and now you can get to build a sustainable toilet and house by getting in touch with the responsible experts on site. At first, we added yoga and meditation, but now we moved to acrobatic yoga and sound frequency energy and stones. We are adding exposure to conventional medicine, such as herbs, from the people of the village who know the plants by heart and their benefits to treatments. You don’t need a land to do this, just a small space or even a balcony.
We are celebrating the 7th edition and it happens to be a full moon so it’s double symbolic for us. And therefore, “Flowmotion” comes from 2012 and how things have been flowing ever since to become where we are now.
Q: Tell us about the previous feedbacks:
A: After 2012 it became a festival not a party. We have decided to show them a whole experience. We placed stations for painting and sculpting. The paintings of 2012 and 2013 will be placed on a wall this year to show how the attendees expressed themselves in those years, and to have a continuous relationship with them. It is not only a four-day experience; it is a lifestyle that you adapt after leaving the festival.
Q: Can you explain to us how you are introducing permaculture this year?
A: We are introducing permaculture this year by collaborating with several NGOs and individuals who are experts in it. So whoever has a land in Lebanon, but have no clue what to do with it, and if they were serious of learning in depth about how to utilize it, we can get them in touch with the experts and later attend seminars.
In summary, we tackle topics, get them curious and give them the right contacts.
Q: Any final words you would like to say to the readers of Beiruting, and how can one register in order to take part in the festival?
A: Get out of this routine, religion and politics, and join us in this sustainable music festival.
We have documentary rooms, workshops, open talks, art, 2 international music stages: electronic music, world music, live reggae / rock /jazz bands, and camping.
We are also collaborating with Terre Liban to sort garbage and diminish the waste. They can teach us what to up cycle and how to even do art from it.
It is considered cheap, 70$ presale, 80$ on site; no additional payments on workshops but only on food and beverages and you can be provided with rented tents for 15$. 109 artists will enlighten your experience.
From the 7th to the 10th of August, in Shouf, meet us there, and you can later decide whether you will proceed with this lifestyle or only consider it a party you have attended.
“Experience sustainability through music and art…“
By : Stephany B.
