DAY ZERO AT THE SZIGET FESTIVAL: MUSIC AGAINST RACISM: BY GREG DOREY, BRITISH AMBASSADOR TO BUDAPEST
I’m recovering today from what was a very successful launch of our “Zene a Rasszizmus Ellen” (ZARE) initiative at Hungary’s superb Sziget Festival. Colleagues from the British Embassy (with help from the US Embassy and the newly-appointed ZARE National Coordinator, Szubjektiv Ertekek Alapitvany) ran a tent next to the Main Stage for most of the day, trading ZARE branded prizes for successful answers to a quiz about racism. At times we were almost overwhelmed and several hundred Hungarians signed up in support of ZARE.
In the afternoon I went on the Main Stage to explain briefly, in English and Hungarian, what we were up to. This was a bit nerve-wracking - rock fans aren’t my usual audience - but I got an amazingly warm response (and only shocked one or two by pointing out that “racism sucks”). The highlight of the day though was the set by a UK All Stars Love Music Hate Racism band at the end of the day. By this time the crowd was huge - maybe 3O,OOO I was told, and the response was rapturous - not just to the music itself but to the anti-racist messages. They were certainly left wanting more. At the end, Embassy staff present were dragged on stage with the band. (In case you see the TV coverage and wonder who the bloke in the Australian hat is, it’s me again).
So why am I recovering today, sitting in the British Embassy tent? I expect it was the hot weather rather than the beer. I’ll ask one of my colleagues to tell you what we’re up to today….
