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Thirty
years ago a group of Christians decided they were going to put on
a pop festival. Back then 1,500 people turned up to party in the
name of God but now Greenbelt (as it is now called) attracts more
than 30,000 devotees every year.
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| Greenbelt |
The
festival takes place at Cheltenham Racecourse from August 22 -25
and although the it's not aimed specifically at youth Greenbelt
does offer something for everyone. And if anything's gonna make
God sexy then this is the place.
The
Greenbelt website describes the Humanic (or youth) area of the festival
thus: "Take a pop festival, add sunshine + peace, shake vigorously,
pause for breath, inject spiritual insight, dance until 2, watch
sunrise; laugh at sleep. Skateboard, dye hair, expand in worship
then juggle."
Hell
even I want to go and I'm a diehard Glasto fiend. So where's God
in all this? Well one of the Ten Greenbelt Commandments is to expect
the unexpected.
The
organisers say: "People at Greenbelt invite God to be present
in every aspect of the weekend. And you never know what this invitation
might mean.
Take
a pop festival, add sunshine + peace, shake vigorously, pause
for breath, inject spiritual insight, dance until 2, watch sunrise;
laugh at sleep. Skateboard, dye hair, expand in worship then
juggle.
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| Greenbelt
organisers |
"We
even believe that Jesus wants to meet you personally over the weekend,
and that this might be a life-changing experience if you're open
to it."
So
God is everywhere if you're up for it eh? Well whether you find
him at Greenbelt or not Christianity has certainly changed from
the days when I was at Sunday school and for the better it seems.
In
addition to all this spiritual enlightenment there's some really
top music and not just from Christian bands. Local rock talent is
well represented in the form of Murdoc and The Stiff Kittens and
there's artzones, cabaret, some wicked dance from Urban Classic
II and much more.
But
is it just a sanitised version of the bigger secular festies?
In
a way yes - but who cares when there's so much great stuff to see
in a safe and caring environment. With performances from some of
the UK's outstanding artists to hand it will at least make you think.
And with the main ethos being peace and justice then I for one am
not complaining.
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| Live
acoustic music from Kate Rusby |
You
can even find yourself a mate at Greenbelt by going Express Dating.
Like speed dating only - well - the same.
If
you want to meet that gorgeous righteous person of your dreams then
you have to sign up for a place and with so many likeminded individuals
around then the chances of success should be pretty high!
Worship
will be all around and there will also be installations from Sanctuary,
Grace, Christian Aid, Fuzzy, and One Small Barking Dog? Can't wait
to see that one!
Oh
and if you fancy Sunday Morning Communion it'll be just you and
15,000 other people?
The
festival organisers are running buses from Cheltenham train station
over the three days and there's piles more info on the website.
| Greenbelt
Festival |
| Venue |
Greenbelt
Festival, Cheltenham racecourse, |
| Date |
August
22 - 25
|
| Tickets |
£70
in advance £50 concessions for a weekend pass
|
| Details |
www.greenbelt.org.uk
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If
you would like to comment on this or any other story in this section
then get in touch at gloucestershire
@bbc.co.uk
|
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