Freedom Festival 2007 -16,17,18,19 and 20 August 2007

On 2007-01-31 22:58, glow wrote:

When the site is online with more info??

On 2006-12-30 17:40, FREEDOM FEST wrote:
FREEDOM FESTIVAL MANIFEST:

Event Greening
Only one Earth! That’s why the Freedom Festival in 2007,and from now on, wants to be as green as possible!

NATURE and ENVIRONMENT


Thousands of people from all around the world, with different habits and from different cultures, will join together for several days of celebration in a beautiful natural setting where we can feel the generosity of Mother Nature. Living these days together in peace, respecting nature and making the least impact as possible on local the environment will be a challenge for all the Freedom comers!
To attain a sustainable event with the smallest ecological footprint achievable a huge work is being prepared. The success of it depends also on co-operation from all the Freedomers.
In 2005, the place where the Freedom Festival took place was cleaned up before the festival by the Freedom Festival team, and thousands of Kilos of waste and rubbish were collected from the area and sent to the local waste landfill or recycled. After the FF2005 the place was again cleaned and in the end it was prettier and healthier than before the event. In 2007 we want to improve even more this work, together with other measures we want to implement and test, to a FF as green and ecologically sustainable as possible.

1.1 LAND
Managing waste and protecting soil
There will be recycled toilet paper available and we are trying to make that the only kind of paper available in the Festival toilets.
Three-way recycle bins will be placed in strategic areas to recycle glass, Plastic and metal, as well as paper and cardboard, in addition to the regular garbage container. These materials will be collected, and then be sent to local recycling stations.
There will be containers available for hazardous waste such as batteries.
A "Freedom Festival Environmental Award" is being promoted amongst the vendors, to reward the most Green chaishops and restaurants.
FF will have official and durable foodware items (dishes, cups, forks) and will promote those instead of non-recyclable items that usually go straight into the garbage. The goal is to use no disposable products.
A "Leave&Take Spot" will be set. There you will be able to leave the items you don’t use anymore or get something that can be useful (clothes, bags, books, anything that can be reused!).
FF main communication,information and registration tools are internet and e-mail. This way we are minimizing paper use.
Several structures and materials used in the FF2005 will be reused or recycled in 2007, to reduce waste production.
FF staff is committed to trying to ensure that all the leaflets and posters, and even the tickets of the festival are produced with recycled paper or paper from brands with environmental certifications.
The buildings and infrastructures created to the FF are all temporary and are planned in a way that will not damage land nor create problems for the future.

1.2 WATER
Preserving and Saving Water
In the "Caia" lake, water quality analysis will take place before and after the event, to evaluate the eventual impact of the event on the pond.
Biodegradable hand soaps, shampoos and cleaning products will be available in the FF SHOP and we ask to all the Freedomers to use only biodegradable hygiene items.
The FF SHOP, restaurants and chaishops are committed to using only biodegradable cleaning products.
Showers will be time and flux controlled to save water.
The waste water from showers and toilets will be collected by a certified company and sent to local Water Waste Treatment Plants.
A "dry-toilets" system is planned to be tested during the Festival, using a system that makes compost from toilet waste.
We are studying the creation of a Waste Water Treatment Station with Plants, to clean in a natural way the water from the showers.

1.3 AIR
Managing Emissions, Transports and Energy
- FF STAFF will have bicycles to move in the FF area in all the journeys possible, saving gasoline and the environment.
- There will be some solar cell phone chargers available for Freedomers.
- There will be bicycles for rent. If you need to go out of the Festival area, or take a look around you could go by bike instead of by car.
- There will be a solar oven available for demonstration and workshops about building solar ovens will take place during the Festival.
- A "Green Travel" placard will be available during the Festival for all those who want to share the same car on the way back home (car-pooling).
- A biodiesel system to be used in the FF fleet and in the electricity generators used in the Festival is a big wish and this possibility is being studied.

1.4 NATURE
Protecting local ecology
- A percentage of the value of the entrance ticket is kept to environmental matters. The money gathered will be used to clean the area after the event and to help in minimizing eventual environmental impacts.
- During the FF there will be workshops about local nature and biodiversity, building nest-houses, guided walks through the natural local area, and other activities to promote awareness about nature conservation.

1.5 PEOPLE
Green Consumption and Local Economy
- A huge percentage of the food served in the FF is vegetarian. A meat based diet is much more harmful for the environment.
- The FF SHOP will have eco-friendly products such as organic vegetables and fruits, Fair Trade products, and different goods produced by local farmers. Local products have a small ecological footprint than the imported ones, and are a good help for small local producers.
- Restaurants that use Fair Trade products, organically grown and genetically unmodified food will be prioritized, and will be candidates to receive the "FF Environmental Award".
- A list with local sources and suppliers is being prepared to be delivered to all the restaurants available in the FF, promoting local products.
- Like in 2005, the local community is invited to be involved in the building and in the management of the Festival. That can be a good help for local economy.
- Local organizations are invited to present ideas and activities to make part of the FF Program.

1.6 ACTION!
Environmental Awareness and Activities
- Through the entire FF area there will be signs with environmental messages, to inform and sensitize all the Freedomers for an eco-friendly week during the Festival, and we hope the message will also go home, spreading it through the world!
- There will be several workshops and environmental activities to all the Freedomers interested in knowing more about local Nature, and how can we have a more sustainable way of living, during the FF and in all the other days…
- To collect all the green ideas available, a board to put environmental suggestions will be available.
- All the FF STAFF will take part in a workshop about Event Greening and the responsibility of each one of the team to a more sustainable event.
- An Eco-squad is being organized to clean all the FF area, before, during and after the event. The Eco-squad will also work in Environmental Awareness during the Festival and will be involved in the organization of several activities. If you want to join our team please send us an email.
- FF is open to all who want to share projects our work about Nature, Permaculture, Veganism, Freeganism, Art with recycled or natural materials, and all other themes related with sustainable living. We will be pleased to know about your ideas, and if possible, making those part of our Program of Activities. Send us an email with your project as soon as possible.



Respect Nature
For all the Freedom comers!
- Bring your own foodware items (dishes, cups, forks) or buy FF official non-disposable items. This way you will reduce the waste produced in the Festival.
- Bring only biodegradable hand soaps, shampoos and cleaning products. You also will find these kinds of products in the local FF SHOP.
- Activities or shows with fire should be made only in reserved areas to avoid any accident or fire in the area. And you should warn the FF Staff about those activities.
- During the Festival, take some seconds to read the messages we prepared. They will help us all to a more sustainable event, and to minimize our impact on Mother Nature.
- Bring joy and positive energy but remember your actions will have impact in the local environment. Love life and love the Planet.
Do you have green ideas to share?
Contact us!!!!