Looking back
Almost a year has past and yet the memories live on in us as if it were just a couple of weeks since the Somuna Festival. For us as organizers it was a roller-coaster of emotions.
When on Thursday 600 of you already were there and at the opening ceremony we were surrounded by smiling faces we were entirely happy and we could almost not believe what we saw. On Friday everywhere people were dancing, painting, jamming, learning and laughing. Our wildest dreams were exceeded and it was so beautiful to see all the sunny souls and feel the familiar atmosphere all over the area.
Along with the many new faces on Friday evening came the mood and weather change. Rain started, the acoustical concerts lacked audience and attention and from all sides we were confronted with negative news. Even though we said many times that we were taking a big personal financial risk there were guests who found ways to pass on their control bands to others, that was very disappointing. Furthermore some guests complained about missing tents and music and behaved aggressively towards our helpers at the bar and even the musicians during the sound-checks. In those hours we would have needed our security team, but their work was insufficient. For us these were very difficult hours and we were afraid that everything goes off track. On one hand because we saw that the Somuna did not only attract peaceful people and with that came our worry of your wellbeing and on the other hand because we felt completely at nature's mercy. At the climax of this real test a lightening struck one of the speaker towers and put an end to the Somuna for one night. Suddenly everything was silent and everybody got a chance to calm down.
On Saturday nature immersed the festival in a mystic cloud and the atmosphere recovered slowly. Positive and beautiful things gained the upper hand and we could breathe again. Many guests resisted the rain and danced with dedication for hours. Saturday at midnight it probably rained for the last time and everything seemed to have been washed off and restored.
Sunday was like a rebirth of the Somuna Festival for us. Nature gave us beautiful weather and also our emotions reached to new heights. Once we saw that you all were well our last sorrow became just fleecy clouds. And finally, after the closing ritual, when the circle formed spontaneously and everybody was standing around the dance floor, holding hands like in a huge hug we were imbued with gratitude and respect and we can say that this moment was one of the biggest things we have every experienced. In that moment it was clear to us: if something is created out of deepest love and passion it will meet any challenge. The band between us as held.
Gratitude
After the Festival people came to us and thanked us for our work. We feel deeply honored and appreciated through you. However we want to tell you, that we have only created a room in which something could take place. YOU have filled that room. Everything that happened at the Somuna, everything we experienced together came from you. It was you who filled the room with so much love, beauty and creativity. It was you who was respectful and loving with others, nature and yourself. And this is why we have to thank you! Thank you, thank you with all our heart.
Many people helped creating the Somuna Festival. Those helpers deserve our deepest gratitude, because they all came voluntarily, gave weeks of their holiday for the Somuna, worked tirelessly and did not ask for anything on return. They didn't just put up tents or built the stage but they did everything with passion and love and therefore created the best possible conditions for the Somuna to take place. Thank you, you have built and protected the Somuna and you kept it going!
Personally we feel that the music at the Somuna was absolutely fantastic and therefore we want to thank all musicians and DJs for their great performances! Thank you, you were brilliant!
The awesome work of our soundengineers must be mentioned. This was worldclass! You delivered music in its purest form. Thank you!
We received invaluable support from the family Wyss, the village of Marbach and the cable car company. We don‘t take this for granted. Thank you! We were especially happy about the great time with family Wyss.
Last but not least we want to thank mother nature and the universe for even making it possible to have such a Festival. There is so much going on in this world and yet we were given the chance to experience something so far-reaching during 4 days. We bow in humility.
Financial
1900 paying guest attended the Somuna 2010. With helpers, free entries and so on we estimate a total of 2300 people over the four days. The budget was made so that 1400 guests were needed for break even. On saturday we had published on various channels that no more guests could come to the Somuna Festival. This decision was very risky from a financial point of view but in our opinion it was the right decision to protect the atmosphere at the Somuna. It was a risky decision because damage done by the storm, other unexpected costs and the fact that many of the artists and partners were promised profit shares for any guest more than 1400 caused the costs for the festival to be higher than expected. Those factors led to the fact that the costs for the Somuna could not be covered with the entry fees only. Fortunately there was enough income from the bar and all expenses could be covered. We, the organizers, have covered our expenses and payed ourselves normal fees for our musical performances.
All remaining money will be used to provide more waterproof tents for a probable next Somuna, since that has been a justified criticism. The tricky thing about tents is that they are either ugly or expensive and are only really needed when it rains. However, when it rains less guests come and less money for tents is available. So to compensate for the loss of guests when it rains the entry fee has to be higher, which then causes less people to come generally and especially when it rains. It's not easy to balance that in advance.
The future
Will there be a Somuna 2012? We don‘t know yet. Our lifes are changing and we don‘t know if we have the time and energy needed for a third Somuna. One thing is sure. If there will be a Somuna 2012 it will be different, it will evolve.
Somuna has grown and we believe we can assume that 2012 it would keep growing. However we think with 1900 guests that the maximum of was almost reached. Cosiness and intimacy was still possible and this we want to preserve. Because of that we will have to regulate the growth of the Somuna. Therefore a Somuna 2010 will have no 2-day tickets and no tickets at the gate. Everyone who wants to come the Somuna will have to decide for the Somuna in advance, no matter if sun or rain, just the way we do it.
Moreover 2012 we do not have any personal savings available to finance the Somuna. Those savings were the financial backbone of the Somuna 2010. 2012 your participation and initiative will be crucial for the Somuna to take place in the first place, because you will have to provide this financial backbone by buying Somuna Tickets very early. Up to a certain date a certain amount of tickets will have to be sold otherwise there won‘t be a Somuna Festival. Everyone who decides early, who invites friends, who spreads the word will provide the support that is needed to organize the Festival.
But those won‘t be the only developments. Nature has shown us something very important. It showed us how beautiful the night was without the music! There was jamming in tents, the night has been enjoyed in it‘s own magic and in the morning we could enjoy the music (almost) entirely relaxed. We have listened and we have learned. At the Somuna 2012, if it will take place, there will be a break of music during the nights.
We wish you all a beautiful year and maybe we see us again in the next.
With love
Andrea, Linda, Raphael
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PS: Maybe you enjoy these videos and images:
http://www.somuna.com/en/history/somuna-2010/videos
http://www.somuna.com/en/history/somuna-2010/bilder