press dossier [2012] global arts, sounds and activism.

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PRESS DOSSIER [2012]
GLOBAL ARTS, SOUNDS AND ACTIVISM.
Esperanzah! Festival held over the first weekend of August, sends out an open invitation to party,
dream, travel and bring people together in a spirit of openness and tolerance. All this in an exceptional
and prestigious location: the Abbey of Floreffe, near Namur, only one hour away of Belgium's capital
Brussels. This year Esperanzah!’s trying to push her boundaries with a new design, new partners and a
fresh program with a contemporary vibe.
Two stages welcome over more than 25 groups, offering a mixture of traditional music, with urban,
imaginative influences from around the globe. Esperanzah! also features 130 street artists off stage, an
activist village with numerous Ngo’s and partner associations that are committed to a different world, an
artistic cinema program, different workshops and debates, a kids village, a world cuisine and
marketplace, fair trade cocktail bars and two camping sites.
UPBEAT VIBRATIONS
CocoRosie feat. Rajasthan Roots & TEZ
The eccentric half-sisters Sierra and Bianca are known to create an intense musical chemistry on
stage. Offbeat folk with playful sound effects, beatbox and the vocal grandeur of an opera
performance.
Crystal Fighters
Colourful folktronica and minimal electro pop infused with Basque instruments, synthesizers and
vocal harmonies that float to a state of euphoria. The ultimate dance experience!
DJ Vadim feat. Yarah Bravo
Russia’s musical genius Vadim is a innovating DJ, producer and radio host bringing an eclectic mix
of dope sounds ranging from hip hop to neo soul, funk, dub and reggae. Yarah Bravo is a flamboyant
MC, singer, writer, hip-hop head and poet, with an immaculate flow and intoxicating stage presence.
The Heavy created their own unique style of rock ’n roll, fusing punky rock guitar riffs with northern
soul beats. Damn funky!
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GLOBAL DISCOVERIES
Roberto Fonseca is a gifted pianist, composer and band leader from the Afro-Cuban jazz scene.
His lyrical melodies persuade amazing talent and soulful brilliance.
The El Gusto Orchestra of Algiers are the masters of chaabi, a vibrant genre embedded in the
musical traditions of North-Africa, Andalusia and the Middle-East. A unique reunion of a legendary
orchestra after more than fifty years of separation.
Emel Mathlouthi
This Jasmine rebel sings compelling protest songs from the Tunisia uprising as an ode to liberty and
rebellion. A taste of Arabic roots with contemporary flavours.
Flavia Coelho brings us the sunshine from Rio in an explosive mix of Brazilian grooves and reggae
vibes with a raggamuffin flow.
The warm voice of Jamaican reggae singer Winston McAnuff encounters the musical gift of the
French organist Camille Bazbaz. Rock, funk, soul and punk in a rub-a-dub style!
Misteur Valaire
These five upbeat Canadians definitely know how to keep the party going at the musical crossroads
between electro, hip hop, jazz and pop-rock.
NEW CREATIONS
Balkan Beat Box built their reputation on explosive live shows, fusing the musical styles of Jewish,
Mediterranean and Balkan traditions with steaming electro, afro and hip hop beats.
Xavier Rudd
A one man band with guitar, didgeridoo, percussion and inspirational vocals. Xavier takes you on a
musical voyage with a spiritual connection to the world and beyond.
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Balkan Beat Box built their reputation on explosive live shows, fusing the musical styles of Jewish,
Mediterranean and Balkan traditions with steaming electro, afro and hip hop beats.
Staff Benda Bilili is an extraordinary band of street musicians that play mesmerising rumba-rooted
grooves infused with southern optimism.
Bonga is the Angolan pioneer of cosmopolitan afroblues and melancholic morna music with critical
messages of hope and change. A living legend!
Groundation is the contemporary reference for conscious roots reggae infused with dub, jazz and
funk. Rebel sounds for the creative minds!
And with our Belgian acts, Kiss & Drive, La Chiva Gantiva, Va Fan Fahre, Marlène Dorcéna and
Uman + many more artists such as Santo Machango, Hilight Tribe, Molotov, Youssoupha and
Imany.
TICKETS
Presales
At the door
Friday :
€27
€35
Saturday :
€30
€38
Sunday :
€30
€38
Weekend :
€63
€80
Camping :
€12
€15
PROGRAM PER DAY
Friday August 3rd : Cocorosie, Balkan Beat Box, Xavier Rudd, Winston McAnuff & the Bazbaz
Orchestra, Va Fan Fahre, The Heavy, DJ Vadim feat. Yarah Bravo
Saterday August 4th : Caravan Palace, El Gusto, Staff Benda Bilili, Bonga, Hilight Tribe, Misteur
Valaire, Emel Mathlouthi, Santo Machango, Kiss & Drive, Uman
Sunday August 5th : Groundation, Roberto Fonseca, Crystal Fighters, Youssoupha, Imany, Molotov,
Flavia Coelho, La Chiva Gantiva, Marlène Dorcéna
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FESTIVAL IN ACTION
Esperanzah! Festival sets out specific goals in her mission statement to create an event that relates
positively with the environment and contributes to the awareness of her visitors.
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Respect for the historic site and the natural surroundings, with the public as a central
agent: recycling; compost toilets; reusable drink cups and reduced consumption; bio
degradable food packaging; encouragement of public transport and carpooling.
An accessible festival for everyone: integration of minorities and people with special needs;
animation for kids and baby corners; democratic prices with free entrance for all children under
twelve, support of article 27 for the right of cultural participation; prevention of aids and drug
abuse.
A message of solidarity and tolerance: Esperanzah! is a creative space for the celebration
and appreciation of the global cultural sphere, but it also tries to find solutions to the problems
affecting humanity. In the ‘Village of possibilities’ we share progressive ideas for the future!
Respect for the local community: free entrance for the inhabitants of Floreffe on Friday;
support of local businesses and the local community for their spontaneous hospitality;
organisation of village gatherings in respect of local needs and rules.
A musical kaleidoscope as a cultural instrument of change: Esperanzah! composes an
international program with artists and sounds hidden under the mainstream radar. It upholds a
critical attitude towards the commercial music industry and the imposed limitations on artistic
expression. The festival is a member of think-thanks and international festival groups that
believe in the progressive power of music.
# OCCUPY ESPERANZAH
‘We say yes to creativity, we say yes to hope, we say yes to the future’.
Angela Davis (Occupy Wall Street, 30/10/2011)
Esperanzah! Festival has a long-lasting commitment to artistic protest and civilian consciousness. This
year the festival launched a unique operation called *Occupy Esperanzah! in connection with the
international Occupy movement of peaceful protesting against the abuses of financial capitalism.
In line with our fight for a more just and fair world, we invite our visitors and artists to create their poster
by sharing their commitment for another world through a personal slogan. They can upload their picture
through the website (http://www.esperanzah.be/occupy) and become one of the many human faces
committed to change and progress.
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PRACTICAL INFO
1. How do I get to Floreffe?
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Train: from every Belgian station, with Thalys, Eurostar or other international connections
Info: www.nmbs.be, or call 070 79 79 79 (0,30/minute) or +32 (0)2 528 28 28.
Bus: vfrom the station of Namur/Namen (± 20 min): line 10 Châtelineau, stop at Floreffe,
Place communale. Info: http://www.infotec.be or call +32 (0) 81 25 35 55.
BYCICLE (free parking at the festival under surveillance)
Check for the available routes: http://ravel.wallonie.be
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CARPOOLING
With friends, family, neighbours or other visitors! Leave message: www.123envoiture.com /
www.karzoo.be
ON FOOT
From Brussels: GR 126 (60 km).
From Luik: GR 579, connection GR 575 to Hoei and Namur/Namen, connection GR 125 to Floreffe.
From Namur/Namen: GR 125 to Floreffe.
From Hoei: GR 575 to Namur/Namen, connection GR 125 to Floreffe.
Check for the available routes: www.grsentiers.org
BY CAR
At 10 km from Namur/Namen, 30 km from Charleroi and 60 km from Brussels with the A1.
E42 – exit 12 direction Malonne – Floreffe.
PARKING: parking provided nearby the festival
2. Camping
The camping opens on Thursday 2nd of Augustus at 18h and closes on Monday 6th of Augustus at
10h.
Presales: €12 /p
At the door: €15 /p
Free for children -12 jaar
There are two camping sites you can choose from. The main camping is situated on the borders of
the Samber, while the second camping is strictly family oriented in a more peaceful part of Floreffe.
Toilets and showers are provided. There is drinkable water for everyone and every morning you can
enjoy a good Oxfam breakfast at an affordable price. The camping is only accessible for those who
have a festival bracelet combined with a camping ticket or bracelet. There is a parking lot provided
with reserved space for caravans and motorhomes.
3. Accessibility
The festival provides facilities and staff to assist disabled people (accessible toilets, reserved parking
spaces, viewing platforms and welfare support).
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OUR PARTNERSHIPS
Private
Media
Institutional
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AND FURTHER…
Esperanzah! offers a small cinema program :
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Calypso Rose: Lioness of the Jungle / Pascale Obolo
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El Gusto - Casbah Blues / Safinez Bousbia
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Staff Benda Bilili / Florent de la Tullaye & Renaud Barret
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L’Orchestra di Piazza Vittorio / Agostino Ferrente
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Cultures of Resistance / Lara Lee
Esperanzah! shares an exclusive playlist on Spotify and LikeTrax every month, where you can discover
the sounds of our program.
Accreditations can be obtained through the online pressroom or by contacting our bureau directly.
During the festival the press centre will be open everyday from 12h till 22h.
Contact
Lise Vanderpiete
Public Relations & Press
pers@esperanzah.be
+32 (0) 472 59 68 16
www.esperanzah.be
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