A family of five dressed in matching, homemade spotted outfits are in a queue politely chatting to a young woman dressed as a fairy.
The smell of freshly prepared bacon, eggs, bread and jam is wafting through the campsite, prompting stirrings within the numerous tents dotted around a sleepy meadow. There is something to be said for a complimentary community breakfast after an evening spent dancing under the stars!
This is Ymuno, a festival that takes its name from the Welsh word meaning ‘join together’ and much of what you encounter at this welcoming and intimate festival echoes this foundation. Known by its loyal followers as the “small festival with a big heart”, the Ymuno Festival began in 2009 when two friends opened their North Wales rooftop terrace to a balmy summer’s evening full of live music, food and an assortment of friends.
Now a highly anticipated event with a strong community, family centric ethos and a reputation for nurturing emerging musicians and artists Ymuno provides a Welsh platform for talent and local industries of distinction – in the beautiful sea-side hills of North Wales near Abergele from the 1 - 4 of July.
This year promises another great line-up of local and invited national and international musicians, K.O.G & the Zongo Brigade, Sorceress, The Turbans, Renegade Brass Band, The Impellers, Denuo, Hannah Scott, William the Conqueror, Mister Keith and more. Check the website for full details.
Whilst the festival is first and foremost a music festival focusing on ‘folk and funk’ Ymuno offers festival goers a complete experience. With a packed activity program for children that is free to access from den building and giant bubbles through to aerial circus and family poetry. There will be laughing yoga, poetry for families, an eclectic range of inspiring speakers, beautiful recycled jewellery making for adults, the return of the popular graffiti boards and this year, the inaugural mini market featuring gorgeous handcrafted wares from local artisans.
Since the beginning of the festival the Ymuno team have implemented recycling, solar power and minimal waste as much as possible and this year a host of activities reflect this green ethos. The North Wales Wildlife Trust will be providing opportunities to learn about local wildlife and ecology, it is hoped that this spotlight into the world around us will nurture in our young festival goers a knowledge and care of the natural environment. North Wales Natural Building Centre will be building a mini oak timber frame building with the kids on-site using traditional methods and natural resources - an experience they promise will be informative AND fun. As well as a solar powered disco, recycled junk will be transformed into both an LED garden and a percussion experience culminating in a musical parade!
Ymuno 2016 has been created and delivered by a group of people who are passionate about the community feeling and experiences that the festival inspires. In the words of one festival attendee - My five year old son was grumpy the next day and when I asked him what was wrong he replied “I want to live at Ymuno and you won’t let me”.Unfortunately you won’t be able to live at Ymuno but you can join us for 3 days of soul lifting music, delicious food, thirst quenching beverages (for young and old), informative and fun activities.
Published on 12 May 2016 by Ben Robinson
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