‘Hallowed floor’ – Glastonbury pageant, a haven from a divided world | In Footage

Glastonbury, UK – Amid the sound of a powerful bass from The Ranges and guitars from The Pyramid, there’s a palpable sense of group within the air at Glastonbury – dwelling to the UK’s largest music pageant. Because it started greater than 50 years in the past, it has turn out to be a serious fixture for the British summer season, attracting some 200,000 folks this yr.

As Britons head in direction of a basic election following 14 years of a Conservative authorities later this week, Glastonbury is a haven for these feeling lower than cheerful about life within the UK.

“Every little thing’s wrecked, mainly,” festivalgoer Lewis John tells Al Jazeera as he relaxes on the camp he has pitched within the Silver Hayes devoted artwork house, the place he’s a crew member. “I imply, we’ve had 14 years of the identical factor. Public providers stripped down to reveal bones for the sake of revenue and privatisation is an entire joke.”

His most urgent concern is the price of dwelling. “Some new housing could be good, an precise inexpensive mortgage,” he says. “So, I’m 23. And I just about know that I’m by no means gonna personal a home.”

For now, he doesn’t have to fret about all that. Glastonbury, with its music, arts, visible installations, lighting and design is an immersive expertise which affords some diversion from the true world – if just for a number of days. Individuals right here say it offers them a little bit of hope for a greater, extra inventive and extra harmonious lifestyle.

Klaud Brown, 39, is having fun with the relaxed environment earlier than the intense enterprise of an election begins. “This place, I hold saying to everybody, is a hallowed floor. I’ve been to Glastonbury most likely like six or seven instances now. What’s to not like?” he says.

“I used to be primarily a Labour supporter, however I believe I’ll be voting Inexperienced to let you know the reality, whether or not they get in now or in 10 years.”

Israel’s warfare on Gaza is what’s swayed his vote this yr, says Klaus, and he isn’t the one one. In keeping with a YouGov ballot commissioned by Medical Help for Palestinians and the Council for Arab-British Understanding in Could, greater than 70 p.c of British folks need a direct ceasefire in Gaza.

Daniel, 29, who stops to pose for an image with Al Jazeera in The Park space of the pageant (described as “a vibrant dwelling of eclectic fabulousness”) can be involved about battle within the Center East. He says he longs for “world peace” and “a United Britain”. He’d actually like everybody to cease combating and be a bit extra just like the folks right here at Glastonbury.

“It’s my first time, I adore it. Everybody’s so pleasant. Everybody’s having a pleasant time. There are not any points in any way amongst everybody.”

Rebecca, 50, stress-free on a chair at The Different Stage venue of the pageant along with her associate and two kids, echoes this sentiment. “I assume it might be higher if extra folks might stay peacefully and be extra tolerant of one another. Once more, I assume not so fast to evaluate. Yeah, simply extra tolerance.”

Ilona, 27, who’s strolling alongside a walkway between levels, is feeling politically homeless, however is hoping for change – one thing she’s not assured she’s going to get even when the polls are right and the primary opposition occasion, Labour, sweeps to energy in a landslide victory. “I don’t assume anybody’s actually obtained the perfect pursuits at coronary heart in any respect. What I hope for the longer term is to see the federal government run by a celebration that’s not considered one of two. Somebody totally different, a change.”

For now, she’s content material to benefit from the occasion environment of Glastonbury. “Third time right here and I like that everybody is comfortable,” she says.