The festival’s spokesperson, Pauline Guell, tells us that they are “very happy” because this year in particular they have achieved a generous offer of the night and a balance of shows and alternative spaces of the day (full program here). “We don’t want passive people at the festival and we strive to reach an active audience with the daytime program.” In addition to the extensive program of the spectacular, there will be a children’s corner and feminist space.

They have worked hard all year round to get a poster composed of engaged, egalitarian and non-commercial groups, and not in vain: Because bands like Akua Naru, Oum, Nova Twins, Las Taradas... are not usually seen in festivals in the Basque Country. Although several actors claim that it is “difficult” to guarantee parity on stage, throughout the EHZ festival minorities are groups that do not have women.

In their speeches two years ago in Lekorn, they addressed the visibility of women: “Not only did we reflect on how many of them are on the stage, for example, what role they play. We have made changes in the organization and because we give it importance, this year there will be more female musicians than ever at the festival,” explains Guell.

However, it is not the best moment of the festival, since the economic hole caused by the one 2014.urtean experienced cannot be lifted by the members of the festival. Although they won 28,000 euros in the crowdfunding campaign, it has not been enough and the model itself “is under discussion”. “Linked to the values of the festivals, we need to go beyond the capitalist models. We have to make a viable model out of other types of support and models.”

In this sense, Guell emphasizes the importance of suppliers. “Our best collaborators are our suppliers, with whom we have to organize the festival and the decisions about it.” However, despite the change in the festival, the spirit of the EHZ will be maintained every year because “the role it plays in the Basque Country and throughout the Basque Country is indispensable”.