Report: WOMAD 2019 – Why We Are Still Here

The 13th Floor’s Maria Hoyle reports from WOMAD 2019 in New Plymouth:

An emergency press conference was called on Day 2 of WOMAD, to explain why the festival was going ahead in the wake of the terror attack in Christchurch. Addressing the media were Suzanne Porter (TAFT CEO), Emere Wana (WOMAD Event Director and NZ Programme Manager) and Chris Smith (WOMAD UK).

Chris opened with this statement. ‘At the very heart of why WOMAD exists is the fight against racism’.

He referred to a quote from WOMAD founder – ‘the boss’ – Peter Gabriel, in which he described that the basis of WOMAD is the fight against the stupidity of racism.

‘After the awful events in Christchurch it feels that the right  decision is to proceed with what WOMAD does, what we believe in.’ WOMAD has been creating a one-world community for 35 years, he said, adding: ‘Tragically, from my position we’ve had to deal with situations like this in the UK and in Spain, so we understand the concerns around large gatherings after terrorist attacks. But equally we value, we think it’s important that we carry on with what WOMAD is all about in the community and in society because it matters. It was certainly Peter’s view that now, with all the things happening in the world, it’s never been more important  that Womad festivals continue here and all over the world, as long as it’s safe.’

Suzanne Porter of TAFT, who do a number of festivals, of which WOMAD is the biggest, went on to reassure those present that strict measures had been enacted to ensure staff, artists, audiences and volunteers were all being looked after. ‘Their welfare is first and foremost what we care about. We always had protocols around scenarios that don’t have good results. Yesterday these were tested and I can say proudly of my team, and it was very good having Chris here from the UK having gone through previous iterations of this around the world, that those measures worked extremely well.’ It had ‘brought the team strongly together’ to focus on presenting this festival in celebration of what it has always been about.

‘A critical statement from us, and Peter Gabriel would want this from us, not to stop. Because NZ has changed today and our hearts go out to all those affected in the South Island and all over NZ.’ The effect on  traders and artists had been profound, she added. ‘So we are here and operating and it is a celebration of the world’s music, its cultures, its languages, its song and its dance.’

She went on to deal with the practicalities of keeping everyone safe. Organisers had been working closely with security and police, with a beefed up police presence in hotels, motels, and on the camping site. ‘The police are armed. This is quite a different look for us… this was not for negotiation. It was their call’.

Emere added: ‘It’s important we are sympathetic to our artists and traders but also our audience members.’ Everybody had been deeply affected, but it was the strong wish of artists and traders that the festival should continue, that they had a job to do, which is to celebrate our differences.

Maria Hoyle