"Cesar Aponte from the Venezuelan Ministry of the Environment will come to speak at a local arts festival. Aponte will speak about the need for his country to grow sustainably, in spite of its abundant oil resources.
The town of Machynlleth and the Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT) will jointly host El Sueño Existe ('The Dream Lives On'), a festival celebrating music and political activism in Latin America, from Friday 10 to Sunday 12 August.
The festival brings bands, speakers, artists and poets from Latin America, Wales and other parts of Britain to the Dyfi Valley. The event builds on the huge success of the first El Sueño Existe festival in 2005.
On Friday 10th August, Mr Aponte will speak as part of a day workshop on Oil , Equity and Biospheres in association with CAT, an environmental organisation and visitor centre three miles from Machynlleth.
Other speakers include journalist and campaigner George Monbiot, and a local green group speaking about designating their area as a UNESCO Biosphere.
Keith Jackson, one of the festival organisers, was inspired by a visit to Venezuela last year: " It seemed that the government of Venezuela was amazingly using its oil riches not only to eliminate poverty, but also to generate active concern about the environment for future generations.
"This is a true reflection of our festival's themes. This workshop could make a real contribution to our thinking about relations between developed and developing countries on the issue of climate change."
Although political, social and environmental issues run through the three-day festival, it is also a celebration of great music and art from all over the world.
The event is dedicated to Victor Jara, a Chilean folk musician and poet who was executed by the Pinochet regime in 1973.
Bands include Gerardo Y Su Son from Venezuela and Omar Puentes y Cubania from Cuba. President of Plaid Cymru and Welsh folk legend Daffydd Iwan will perform as will West Country radical roots band Seize the Day. Renowned Italian songstress Silvia Balducci also appears on the eclectic bill.
There will be theatre performances and art exhibitions, including an exhibition of artist Joan Santana's work on people, the land and exploitation.
The workshop on the Friday will take place at Y Tabernacl, Machynlleth. Attendance at the workshop is free, although donations are welcome.
Tickets for the three day festival cost £25, concessions are £20, and tickets include camping. Children under 14 are free. Some tickets are available for individual events. Any profits will be invested in future festivals.
There is basic camping with showers adjoining the festival site."
Article written by Tony Corden
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Tony Corden Machynlleth
Thanks for your encouraging comments. Just a note to say we are putting on a mini El Sueno festival in Machynlleth on Sat 12 Jan 2008 called "Nicaragua; New Time; New Hope" with veteran activist and wonderful musician Paul Baker Hernandez . More info on website; www.elsuenoexiste.com.It will be a lively weekend of music ,dance and inspiration. Money raised will go to the "Zero Hunger Project " and a project in Managua providing assistance for people living on the city rubbish tip. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites
Tue Dec 18 09:22:50 2007
Eduardo y Estrella, Chillán, Chile
Amigo Tony: contentos por el exito de tu festival. Dese la tierra natal de Victor Jara te abrazamos.Estamos trabajando para el noveno Festival en el mes de Noviembre.No tengo el sitio web de tu festival para agregarlo en nuestra pagina.Otro abrazo.
Translation - Dear Tony: your festival's success made us so happy. From Victor Jara's homeland we send you a hug. We are working for the ninth Festival next November. I do not have your festival's website to add it in our site. Another hug.
Wed Sep 12 15:42:08 2007
Sonia Kuznetsov, Corris Uchaf
Many thanks ... Diolch yn fawr ... Muchas Gracias ...... to Tony, Keith, Phil and Co., for organising such a wonderful second 'El Sueno Existe' festival. Thanks also to the many performers, such as Gerardo and Dafydd Iwan, and other contributors who together make this such an enjoyable, eclectic, thought-provoking and inspiring weekend. Truly a Latin-Welsh heart-felt experience: reminding us of, celebrating and mourning (when cruelly lost) the spirit of life and love and solidarity and democracy. I was very moved by Joan Jara's book: 'Victor: an unfinished song', which I read at the time of the first 'El Sueno Existe' in 2005. Check it out if you get the chance. If we are not to keep repeating the same mistakes, it is important that we do not forget. Thanks for helping us remember and for helping keep the dream alive.
Mon Aug 13 09:28:12 2007
Roger Taylor, Colwyn Bay
I have been an avid admirer of Latin American history and culture ever since I was 16, doing an individual school project in 1960! Then the sheer audacity of developing Brasilia as a new capital in Brazil, plus the sheer brilliance of Pele fuelled this passion initially. It took me 30 years before I could travel to South America and it was well worth the wait even if the Maracana did not produce another Pele for me to admire! I have recently finished reading Anderson's intruiging biography of Che Guevara - it's a pity he did not always posess Simon Bolivar's qualities of inspired leadership and statemanship. I plan to attend the festival and spread the word around my work colleagues but sadly very little exposure or publicity has arrived in North Wales - as is the norm for anything cultural around here! Please let me know of any information on Latin American affairs or any support needs that I can assist with here in North Wales. Good luck with the festival.
Wed Aug 1 09:40:40 2007
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