DRAGON FESTIVAL
ORGIVA 2005! By Anu Shukla
Over four thousand people assembled for a 5 day event at the annually held Dragon Festival, which took place on 18th March 2005, Orgiva, Granada to mark the beginning of Spring.
A gathering of people celebrated the season in peace and harmony alongside a collective of individuals from all walks if life, including families and children. Combining a wide and alternative mix of music and entertainment, the festival spirit sent out a positive ambience for all to enjoy. Lux and the Hundred Monkeys (Siobhan, Kim Olga, Dave, Nikki Barker, Andy Lee and artists) were just one of the major entertainment groups on the agenda, comprising a collective of trapeze artists and professional dancers who visibly pleased the crowds. With a spectrum of music from acoustic guitar to deep down and dirty drum n´ bass, there was something for everyone to enjoy.
An alternative mix of music was contributed by Bodatch (Andrews and Jules) who played the green tent, while Tribal Funk enhanced an already vibrant mode at the Dome stage with distinctive tones of House. Further alternative rhythm was added as Tribal Funk played their set - only to be described as fun, entertaining, lyrical genius set against amazing gramophone style vocals. Innerfield (who alongside Turbozone also form part of the crew behind the Rocket Festival) were there on Saturday night to kick off some beats and uplift the crowds while in contrast Stiff Biscuit performed a special pro-punk style set with lead vocalist Francis (former lead vocalist of 80s punk band Poison Girls). A special Monsters Inc Dragon Fest Mix was also projected especially for the nippers to enjoy and the giggles of delight certainly confirmed an all round happy presence.
Participants & festival goers spontaneously helped others arriving as some 400 vehicles positioned themselves amongst the festival grounds. Respect for the environment was apparent after negotiations with the relevant bodies made it possible to raise the funds needed to pay for rubbish collection.
Recent years however, have witnessed opposition from local authority figures with Orgiva Mayor Adolf Martin Padia (of the Popular Party) submitting a petition this year against the festival to the Government of the Granada Province. Festival participants in contrast have worked hard towards positive relations and senior delegate Antonio Cruz informed journalists that the petition was declined on the grounds that they were not to use any kind of repression that “limits the rights and freedom of the citizens”. The festival has therefore continued despite such resistance with the Rural de Seguridad of Madrid also confirming that the event was successful.
The Dragon Festival is held every year around Equinox within the Orgiva area, Granada. For a closer look at the festival and what it’s all about, go to www.partyvibe.com/conspiracy where you can also read reviews of this year’s Dragon. Those lovely people behind the Dragon have also put together a double CD (on sale soon) to give you a taste of the wide spectrum of music that was on the menu at this year’s event. For more information on how to get a copy, take a trip down to the Dragon site. See you all there next year!
