Sustainable U: Music festivals
I had no idea “sustainable” music festivals, let alone eco-friendly ones, were a thing. Cut to the Flow Festival. What emerged in 2004 as a lowkey club event, spurred into the modern-day trailblazing European music and arts celebration with innovative content that is inspired by popular culture and experimental arts. It was during my student exchange a couple of summers ago that I had an epiphany — I must come back and write about this newfound phenomenon of music festivals. After having lived in Helsinki and the surrounding area, I was astonished to find that we, in Calgary, Alberta (let alone Canada!) and at the University of Calgary are living in the Stone Age. From their love of oat milk, veganism and sidewalk bike lanes and their super strictness on banning single-use plastics to their entire music festival culture integrating sustainability initiatives so well in Finland — it blew my mind. We are so behind. And as a matter of fact, entitled, too. I figured after the headliner act of Cardi B cancelled at the last minute that it was all downhill from there. But surprisingly I discovered there was some strong underlying reason why all fans alike were sticking around. Although I thought it was all hype and rather hipster to drop over $300 for a single admission for the coveted three-day event, I now realize it was well worth it.