The festival summer is a good opportunity to focus on climate and the environment, believes the festival Ravnedalen Live, which is taking place in Kristiansand. The artist Sigrid is one of the artists who has soundtracked the natural area and she is happy that the organizers are taking responsibility when it comes to being environmentally conscious. Sigrid says that other festivals have several times offered to drive her 50 metres. – We can get our feet wet. It doesn’t hurt anyone to walk a little, she says. Ravnedalen Live in Kristiansand is organized over four days this week. Making a difference The company Dirty Old Town, which organizes the festival, wants to inspire and remind people to be more environmentally friendly together. For example, they ask festival participants to bring their own cup, and only local food is served. The aim is that no one should leave behind more than 20 grams of rubbish. That’s the weight of about three segmen. Sigrid thinks it’s cool that the festival has such a strong climate focus. – It is quite unusual. I think I have never seen a festival in the world that has such a strong climate focus as this one. The Ravnedalen Live website advised us to bring our own cups for a more environmentally friendly alternative, say the sisters Jane Andersen (35) and Ann Beathe Tellefsen (42). – They have a good system where you can pledge plastic cups and get drink vouchers in return , says Andersen. Here, the ladies have started collecting plastic cups. 25 of them can be exchanged for a new device. – Their deposit arrangements also mean that the festival goes around a bit by itself, by everyone contributing, says Mona Bergum (53). Old “Heidi’s” glasses are also being used in the area – I am absolutely sure that after they have cleaned the area on Sunday, you will not see any trace that there has been a concert here, says Elisabeth Sola (53) satisfied with her home-brought glass The pop artist makes sustainable demands on festivals Together with Stig Brenner, Sigrid was one of Norway’s first artists to use a so-called green rider in 2019. A green rider is a list that contains demands artists can make to the organizer, and which can have an effect on their environmental accounts. – I don’t think I’m going to save the world with this. I strongly believe in structural changes, but we as artists still have the opportunity to do our small part, says Sigrid. The five points in the green rider: More vegetarian food Reduce the use of fossil fuels Limit the use of single-use plastic Use low-emission transport solutions Limit waste and ensure that waste is recycled – For example, we may want to cut back on plastic where we can backstage. In addition, we can make requests for short-distance food, more vegetarian food and a reduction in unnecessary transport. These are small steps that the artist Sigrid believes can be implemented to help make a difference. Festival manager Mira Svartnes Thorsen says they have created their own green riders who set environmental requirements for the artists. – This involves, for example, an invitation to travel by public transport, walk as far as possible and use a water bottle that can be reused. In addition, we want them to eat more vegetarian food where possible. Festival manager Mira Svartnes Thorsen. Photo: Malin Heggebø Rolfsen / news 1.3 million on sustainability from own pocket Sustainable solutions are often not the cheapest option. – We have spent 1.3 million on sustainability from our own pocket the last time I calculated it. And we have received 700,000 from public authorities, says Svartnes Thorsen. She says they are very keen to not only maintain, but also improve the sustainability goals. This year they are therefore also betting on local food, which makes up 80 per cent of the food they serve. The festival has its own local food festival in the area. Photo: Malin Heggebø Rolfsen / news – This year the feedback has been wild. People thank us for the work we do. It has been really moving, says the festival director.
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Ravnedalen Live is carried forward by sustainability – news Sørlandet – Local news, TV and radio
