WOMAD Festival Returns with Global Beats and Green Energy Vibes!

WOMAD, one of the world's biggest international music festivals, has made a much-anticipated return this year, drawing crowds of up to 40,000 people. The festival is now being held at its new location, Neston Park near Corsham in Wiltshire, after taking a break last year. Known as 'the world's festival', WOMAD brings together bands and singers from all over the globe, offering a unique chance for people to experience music and culture from many different countries. The festival lasts for four days and features more than 100 artists performing on six stages, as well as over 200 free activities, including art, yoga, and dance workshops.

The festival kicked off on Thursday evening, with early arrivals enjoying live music and the lively atmosphere. Festival director Chris Smith expressed his excitement, saying it had been a long journey to get everything ready for the event. He described starting with a blank canvas at the new site and was pleased to see the festival finally come together. The festival grounds are decorated with colorful flags, sunflowers, and strings of lights, creating a vibrant and welcoming environment for visitors. People can be seen relaxing in camp chairs, walking through the fields, and enjoying the sunset as music fills the air.

WOMAD was first created in 1982 by British singer Peter Gabriel and has been held in various countries over the years. For more than a decade, it was based at Charlton Park near Malmesbury, but this year marks its debut at Neston Park Estate. Lady Venetia Fuller, the owner of the estate, said she was delighted to see so many happy faces and praised the festival team for their hard work. One of the new features this year is the use of renewable energy to power the main stage, with large batteries replacing traditional diesel generators. Pete Townsend from Ecotricity, the energy company involved, said this change is part of a bigger effort to make festivals more environmentally friendly. With so many people coming and going, Wiltshire Council has put special traffic plans in place, including lower speed limits and a one-way system, to help everyone arrive and leave safely. WOMAD continues to be a celebration of music, art, and community, bringing people together from all walks of life.