This year the WOMAD organisation delivers global music, art and dance to six host countries and the UK festival edition in Charlton Park promise to be a celebration of human communication and movement for its loyal but growing audience.
Since its establishment in 1982 WOMAD has held festival events in over 27 countries and champions multicultural inclusion over opposition by providing a podium for talented performers from all over our biosphere.
Family-friendly with free tickets for children under 13, a global food market, diverse cultural workshops and musical performances by artists from over 100 nations demonstrate this festival’s long-standing ethos for tolerance and understanding through creativity.
Whether it is sustenance, group activities, instrumental lessons or unique fair trade gifts that usually attract your attention the main arena is a fusion of multicultural pleasures.
Juxtaposed from the live action showground, the World of Wellbeing is a rich oasis springing with ways to nourish and cultivate the physical and mental health of its visitors.
Assembled in the arboretum of the estate sandwiched between the festival field and several spacious campsites, this collection of tented inns and multi-coloured fabrics provide therapies, crafts, cooking and alternative experiences for all guests young or old.
Through the seemingly illimitable array of musicianship that WOMAD is indulging us in again this year, the awe-inspiring Malian couple Amadou & Mariam have got to be our most anticipated.
But as to be expected from preceding experience with the WOMAD line up, Amadou & Mariam are one of the only bands recognisable by name; however, the free playlist on the WOMAD website has already led to the joyful discovery of the truly angelic vocals of Mozambican Wazimbo.
With the recent disappearance of the much loved Bowers & Wilkins stage, the WOMAD family are never ones to take a step backwards as the festival introduces a new stage, named after the immersive and state of the art sound system from D&B Audiotechnik; The D&B Soundscape Stage promises “festival goers will experience how hearing is truly supposed to be”.
The extensive four-day listings of the global musical exhibition present big band legends from Kenya, Orchestra Les Mangelepa; a Nu-Jazz band from Germany named Jazzanova; a Mongolian folk rock band titled Hanngai and Leftfield performing their classic album Leftism live.
So whether you are seeking emotionally provoking moments in the Siam Tent or you want to join the raucous gypsy party in Molly’s Bar until 4am, WOMAD has something for everyone.
And with the event just around the corner, why don’t you make 2018 the year that you join the journey?
Intro by Tom Longman
Preview by Holly Slater
Images: PR
