ROTOTOM SUNSPLASH 2022 Reggae City
BURNING SPEAR
by Sista Irie
January 26, 2023
Attending the 2022 Rototom Sunsplash Festival in Benicassim, Spain was the much needed medicine to recover from a music lockdown lasting two pandemic years. Rototom 2022 gifted a holistically designed mental and physical healing experience at what is known as the biggest and best reggae festival in the world. That is not to overlook the lure of performances by some of the most outstanding reggae talent around, such as opening night with Damian Marley and the finishing night with Burning Spear. All seven days became mandatory for someone like myself coming a long distance while thirsting for what could be described as the reggae olympics.
As a member of the press, my eyes and ears focused on all the diverse activities that make this more than a live music experience. Equally important are the daytime panels, movies and educational offerings presented by Reggae University, House of Rastafari and Foro Social. How many other festivals offer an opportunity to hear close up the history and philosophy of top names like Burning Spear, Sly Dunbar, Julian Marley, Max Romeo, Chinna Smith, Skatalites, Morgan Heritage (and more), with the ability to ask questions directly to the artists who we admire most?
Rototom Sunsplash is a cultural experience and presents musical programming at the highest level of excellence. The producers perfected the art of audience satisfaction while presenting an environment that is exhilarating for artists, media and all industry supporters. The festival grounds not only host a wide variety of ethnic foods and vendors, there are policies in place to promote environmental awareness and social activism in complete alignment with this year’s motto “We Must Change the World.” Cultural awareness, consciousness and employing a commitment to living a positive life is how we will take the world back to a happy and humane way of earthful joy.
For those who wonder how this amazing festival came about, the history began in 1991 with Ann event presented by four friends in Italy. The festival mission is to promote peace, unity and social activism. The concept then became ROTOTOM SUNSPLASH and in 1994 was expanded moving from Italy to Spain. The many attractions across the festival grounds include a Main Stage for featured headliners, the Lion Stage for upcoming and established bands, the Dancehall, the Dub Academy, Jumping (with an African influence) and the Voodoo Club. There is also a children’s entertainment area and yoga arena with additional restful places to chill and enjoy the ultimate vibes. It is a family affair in a multitude of languages. There is no other reggae festival that comes close to providing an all around feeling of being a citizen in a reggae city of mutual consciousness.
PHOTOS BY DAY:
Skatalites, the amazing Larry McDonald