Posted by Yara Coelho on Aug 9, 2014 in Countries, Portugal |

The Boom festival 2014 – a spiritual journey

This is probably one of the biggest and most important alternative festivals in the world, ready to know more about it?

The boom was inspired by the Goan trance festivals and parties born within the hippie community who fled to India in the 70’s, but evolved way beyond the music.

Although it all sounds amazing, I always refused to go to this festival. I love alternative gatherings and I love different experiences, and hey! It takes place in Portugal, my home country! But, I was too close minded, just because I don’t enjoy trance music.

This year, I had a overwhelming feeling I should go to the Boom fest. It was a very instinctive feeling, that something out there would change my life forever. So I decided to overcome the idea I hated trance and bought a ticket.

What I found out from this experience is that the Boom festival is NOT a music festival, it’s definitely NOT a trance festival. The Boom is a state of mind and to be very honest with you, it’s paradise on earth.

THE BOOM FESTIVAL IDEOLOGY

WE ARE ALL ONE!

The idea we are all equal citizens of this world, is felt strongly at the Boom. They kindly ask people NOT to bring any country flag or other sense of separation.

At the Boom, there’s no racism, no ageism, no sexism, no homophobia, no prejudice, no violence. The feeling of tolerance and unity is overwhelming. The believe that we are one nation only is strongly cultivated and I loved it. Yes, a bran new world is possible where there are no borders and no “we” vs “you”, only “US”.

THE BOOM LAND at Idanha a Nova

If there’s a paradise on earth, it’s called Boom land! Really….

This area is magic, located at a very remote part of Portugal, surrounded by nature, hundreds of year old trees and a majestic lake.

THE MUSIC

Fortunately the Boom festival is now a very eclectic festival as far as music goes. You can dance your soul away to the rhythms of psy-trance, or you can discover amazing world-music and chill out rhythms. I went to a Sitar show at the Sacred fire area which blew my mind away.

If you don’t like psy-trance, you have no excuse to miss this festival as the music is only one of the reasons boomers get together. And you know what? I gave the trance music a chance and I totally changed my mind, it’s quite amazing actually.

THE DEEP ECOLOGY AND BIO-CONSTRUCTION at THE BOOM

The Boom festival differs from every other festival in the world because of it’s ecological vision. This fest that gathers 40.000 people is totally off the grid and leaves no traces on the land.

This is an aspect that blew my mind! The ecological aspect is crucial for the boomers and all the buildings are ecological and build of local materials like mud, straw, etc. All water is treated and purified using the local plants and nature. All toilets are compost, using no water, no chemicals. The sun lights the boom land at night and keeps us dancing to the sound of sun powered music.

Besides the fact that all buildings are 100% ecologically built, they follow the rhythms of the festival and respect mother earth in an amazing way.

THE BOOM ART AND CULTURE

I have never seen such an intense amount of art and culture gathered in one single place. I’ve attended festivals for 23 years, traveled half of the world, and the irony of destiny showed me that sometimes the most precious gifts are actually at my doorstep.

The Boom gathers extremely talented artists from all over the world, who expose their paintings, their sculptures, their music and share their knowledge and experiences with the rest of the Boom family.

Some of the art provoked very strong emotions on me and believe it or not, I took 3 days to absorb the very complex paintings exposed at the art museum.

During the whole week, important guest speakers give us workshops and presentations in different themes such as; bio-construction, spirituality, medicine, art, psychology, nutrition, etc, The Boom is an important cultural and artistic event.

THE SPIRITUALITY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE

The healing area is a sacred space where you can go and connect with yourself. Actually some people have told me they spend their entire week at the healing area, where you can attend all sorts of workshops on alternative medicines.

The healing area offers different therapies performed by experts. You can meditate, practice yoga, participate in ancient rituals and pujas, have a therapeutic massage or a Chinese – Ayurvedic or homeopathic medicine consultation. This is a very special place for the inner growth.

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Although I left the festival 4 days before it’s end due to the chaotic logistics and organization (I ended up in park B, the most far away camping site and life was too hard out there), something really changed after my 4 days at the boom land.

The next two posts will be fully dedicated to the Eco-constructions and ecology at the Boom, and the art – from sculptures to paintings.