The rise of 'conscious' festivals, where music, spirituality and nature meet

Thousands of people from across Europe and beyond have travelled to the UK to experience the Medicine Festival, where music, spirituality, nature and traditional ceremonies come together. The Medicine Festival brings together more than 10,000 people in the United Kingdom for four days of music, ceremony, spirituality and environmental activism. The festival in Berkshire reflects a growing interest in alternative ways of connecting with oneself, others and nature. The sixth edition of the festival features a full programme of events, including concerts, yoga classes, ways of exploring movement and spiritual awareness and traditional ceremonies. Many Europeans have crossed the border to attend. Ayla, from the Netherlands has come to the festival for the first time. “What I like about Medicine is the sharing of wisdoms. I hope I get out of here inspired, rested and motivated as well," she told Euronews. In Europe and around the world, there is a growing interest in "conscious festivals" such as Medicine, which encourage people to explore their inner self, reconnect with nature and create a sense of community. “We see ourselves as part of nature," explains Joshua Dugdale, Co-Founder of the Festival. “We promote the medicine of dance, the medicine of music, the medicine of community, but also seeing people who have maybe a different world view and engaging with that, learning new skills, understanding new ways of seeing the world, we would call it a sacred festival”. To date, the Medicine Festival has donated over one hundred thousand euros to support the environment and indigenous communities.