Pärnu 7.th.of May 2009: Niels Bjerrum Head of the Information & Marketing Section

Program (or some of it...): The History of Roskilde Festival? Our values and goals? How is the festival organized? Our biggest challenges right now?

1.) Roskilde Sound Festival: 1971 Woodstock … Inspiration Expected: 3000 Participants: High school students = naive = of the beaten track = same today (swim against the current: music, interior and decoration, influence on the society etc.) Lots of people without tickets = deficit The ’money man’ was gone when the bills had to be paid

2.) Roskilde Fantasy Festival: 1972 The Roskilde Foundation (Later known as ”Roskilde Festival Charity Society”) Local Government Roskilde city A formal organization

5/47 Esben Danielsen The first canopy stage from Rolling Stones: 1978

The 1970 and 1980ies: Political confrontations against the conservative and Christian Denmark A transition from ’hippie ideals’ to the ’black punk’ 80ies = A new group of audience and a new movement = new music profile

7/47 Esben Danielsen The second Canopy: 1983

The 1990ies to the year 2000: A professional organization prepared for the future Largest one: 1994 ( people) – 1995: 25 years anniversary – a new maximum of Too big – multiple parties in one = no feeling of community Quality not quantity

2000: The accident not to happen under any circumstances, but which occurred at Roskilde during a Pearl Jam concert at orange stage – 9 young people died

We learned a lesson and others learned as well – new improved security guidelines in cooperation between private and public institutions

11/47 Esben Danielsen Festival 2006 – Maybe the best one ever

12/47 Esben Danielsen Festival 2007 – Worst weather ever: 120 mm. of rain in a few hours!

13/47 Esben Danielsen Festival 2007 – It ended superb! Roger Waters at Orange…

Roskilde Festival today: One of the largest cities in Denmark with app inhabitants 50-60% from Denmark 15-20% from Norway 10-20% from Sweden % from the rest of the world voluntary staff (7.000 from the Roskilde Festival Charity Society – from different associations) from the media musicians - app. 175 bands

The audience – who are they? 50 % women and 50 % men 70 % have been at Roskilde more than once 80 % is years Average age is 25 years 50 % arrives on the openingday (sunday) 50 % arrives by car (… has to change)

Huge branding value and economic importance in the local society: Local shops, Associations, economies (RF: 330 mio. DKK = 1/3 of total tourist income – RF = dec. for business) Puts Denmark on the map/branding (Google – Copenhagen/Roskilde)! Roskilde: – The University, The Wiking Ship Museum, The Cathedral – Roskilde Festival

The purpose of The Roskilde Festival Charity Society… “…is to support initiatives that are beneficial for children and adults and to support humanitarian, other public charities, non profit and cultural work. Roskilde Festival Charity Society’s work is independent of party politics and has no geographical boundaries. "

Human2Human - Roskilde Festivals humanitarian focus GOALS: Make visable that Roskilde Festival is a non-profit organization, that supports humanitarian projects, in direct contact with the guests Assure collection and recycling of deposits (bottles) to avoid ”criminal collectors”– to support the humanitarian year project Engage/mobilize volunteers and audience in the concrete support project in order to make the underlying values of Roskilde Festival visable and very present

Roskilde Festival Foundation Roskilde Festival Charity Society Roskilde Equipment Rental Roskilde Events & Consult Event 4000 Roskilde Cultural Administrations Service Charity, culturel and humanitarien support The Roskilde Group

Challenges at the time: The financial crisis – what crisis…? Our audience never had neither fortune nor equity …No stock holders! Culture and ticket challenges; sale same as in the 1980ies oil crisis!

Challenges at the time: Music prices/the experience economy/one day music arrangements – the bubble that bursts – with festivals as winners – they can do much more! A festival is a ’whole’ experience without the normal limits of society - not one way communication – on big community The actual place: gravel pit/ highway – a physical Challenge – camping and festival site

And more to come : 2009: (warm up) Focus on climate changes: Sustainable Stage, Green Footsteps, Climate Community, Our Green Footsteps E –sport: Guitar hero, sing star, CS m.v. Nordic food bazaar Se more at: