Social Forum
The space where you can reflect freely with prestigious speakers on how to build a better world together.
Know and learn. Flee from simplicities and static visions. Address the complexity of the whole. To debate. Discuss. Reflect. Visualize. Build. These are the pillars that of the Rototom Sunsplash Social Forum. It is a space for listening and speaking, free of thematic boundaries, about culture, environment, economy, human rights, peace and social movements; about conflict and, political and humanitarian crises, but also about their solutions and alternatives. Both present and future. About realities that coexist on the same planet and which are sometimes unknown to us. All this, with the help of experts, be they anonymous or not. The frontline protagonists, those people who bet on change, a change of course. Those who are the driving force behind those other possible worlds.
Reggae University
Gathering academics, artists, producers, authors and general audience
Since 2007, the Reggae University is a key pillar of the Rototom Sunsplash cultural program. Well known reggae journalists, writers, academics as well as practitioners and performing artists get together in a series of meetings to reason about, to discuss and to analyze important aspects and moments of reggae music and culture. Sessions focus on the past, present and future of reggae to explore the evolution of the music, as well as its global nature as one of the most influential contemporary musical styles which is grounded in a rich cultural heritage. The University sessions deal with various topics ranging from the diverse musical repertoire, lyrical content, emancipatory, social and political aspects, spiritual depth, aswell as the music's manifestation in film and print.
Jamkunda
Decolonizing minds through art, talent and care for elements
Jamkunda is the village of the Baobabs, the roots of the souls that feed the earth with humanity. A space from which to conspire for the common good and join in the construction of a new humanity through music, cultural encounters and participative activism. Ataya will kick off the Jamkunda programme, where we will create a space for constructive reflection around the tea ceremony. It will be followed by dance, an occasion to enjoy and let yourself be carried away by the rhythm. The agenda is completed with different artistic proposals, under the coordination of the ‘artivist’ Mamadou Dia. In the evening, we will turn the area into a dance club where to share an emotional and spiritual experience through music.
Pachamama
A journey of personal growth and reconnection with Mother Earth from the values of sustainable development, agro-ecology and health.
Natural therapies, yoga and mindfulness, dances, talks, agro-ecology, permaculture, conscious cuisine, super foods, health, medicinal plants, the value of biological seeds… are but some of the many elements that underpin Pachamama, a space for reconnecting with Mother Earth and for personal growth that has consolidated itself within the cultural daytime programme at Rototom Sunsplash, growing year after year. Pachamama born out of a premise, and a conviction: we are part of a global ecosystem and we have a great responsibility to which we want to give the importance it deserves. With this challenge, the area boasts its own structure, composed of three axes. In the centre there is the Dome, where there are activities that respond to public demands, such as yoga sessions or natural therapies, dances, workshops, lectures and concerts with special guests. Around the Dome pivot the other two vertices of the area. On the one hand, there is the meeting space shaped by exhibitors of groups related to permaculture, the preservation of biological seeds, solidarity or reconnecting with Pachamama, among many others. And on the other hand there is the gastronomic side, with culinary proposals that are formed by vegetarian and vegan restaurants, and include workshops, cooking shows and talks related to conscious eating.
Magico Mundo
Share, grow and learn with spontaneous play and experiences as a means
Create, play, dream and share are the four pillars of the most family orientated Rototom Sunsplash space. Magico Mundo is a place to grow and learn, always from a perspective of absolute respect for the little ones and their universe, with spontaneous play and experiences as a means to explore this exciting world. A journey to be experienced as a family, not only with the inclusive activities for all ages in the Magicomundo programme, but also through its interacting with other areas. The fact is that the programme of this ‘magical world’ includes, in each edition, the collaboration guests and special guests from other the areas of the venue, with which to enjoy African storytelling, yoga family and circus performances, among many other surprises. Magico Mundo will take to the stage under the binomial Rototom and Formiguer, a new project, the latter formed by the team of the emblematic Formigues Festival, and which embodies the symbiosis between two great Benicàssim festivals that are also benchmarks in the promotion of culture in mini format. Thus, the most family orientated area of Sunsplash will follow this thread to reformulate its spaces without changing the philosophy that has guided Magico Mundo since its beginnings: to encourage creativity and imagination through free and spontaneous play. The activity will take place in in three spaces: La Bambinola dedicated to the performing arts and into which Rototom Circus will be integrated; El Giocodromo, a universe reserved for play and artistic expression; and El Cuórumwhich, protected by a well-kept space with a comfortable dome, will be reserved for reflection, talks, knowledge and rest.
House of Rastafari
Meeting point for people interested in the Rastafarian culture
Traditional reference at the festival for all those who are interested in approaching the Rastafari livity or are simply curious to learn more about it. A space to reflect upon and discuss around this theme. House Of Rastafari, features Nyabinghi chants, Reasoning Grounds, art and photography exhibits, as well as fundrising activities to support solidarity projects in Ethiopia and Jamaica.
Social Art Gallery
A refreshing cocktail of art, creativity, social awareness and artistic creation live
Social Art Gallery is a platform and a meeting place to share and disseminate all kinds of artistic expressions and enjoy live art. An area that gives voice and visibility to twenty selected proposals in each edition, it is a space where art is a means of expression and the artists are conduits for ideas and emotions. Open to creativity and imagination the area is located in the heart of the festival and coordinated by the Valencian artist Iris Serrano. In addition to giving visibility to projects presented by each artist, it allows festival goers to witness the creative process behind a piece of art, gestated hour by hour, throughout the duration of the festival. The artistic proposal of this space also has a solidary aspect: all the works created during the edition go on sale and their profits are destined to help finance solidarity projects.
Teen Yard
The space where teenagers are the protagonists
This is an area for the young people who come to the festival with their families, with whom we have clear commitment, supporting the generation that has the capacity to change things. Therefore we want to give them their own space, offering them many activities specially designed for them. Where they can enjoy a program to develop their creativity, learn, share and express themselves. A program, that includes the collaboration of other festival areas as well as professional workshop leaders who will work directly with the youth. The teen yard will be the place to reflect and learn while having fun.
Artesano Market
Ancestral arts and crafts and workshops for all ages
An atypical market, where the public can experience and live craft. Festival-goers will enjoy the chance to feel and live trades with all their senses as each artisan workshop will include a demonstration to show and explain their work. You will also find daily participatory workshops, dedicated to both adults and children, related to the exposed crafts activities: stone carving, woodworking, distilling plants, manufacture of items with recycled cardboard, natural cosmetics, soap making and building toys or musical instruments.
No Profit
The essence of Rototom: volunteering, cooperation, social commitment, solidarity
Each of them in its own field and with its own aims, but all united by a generous and selfless spirit. NGO’s and associations involved in the care of the environment; in the fight against racism and intolerance; in projects of integration and coexistence between people and cultures; in the denouncing of the violation of human rights; in the human sustainable development in large or small areas; in eradicating hunger; in the regulation of the use of hemp; or in the design of a truly critical and democratic society. To all of them, the festival gives the opportunity to spread their projects and information materials, to make themselves known, to create moments of encounter and reflexion and to self-finance themselves trough the sale of their products in the stands.