Psy-Fi

Last updated

Psy-Fi
Psyfi.jpg
The Chill Out stage at Psy-Fi.
Genre Psychedelic music and arts festival
Date(s)August
FrequencyAnnual
Location(s)Stadspark Groningen, Netherlands (2013)
De Groen Ster near Leeuwarden, Netherlands (2014–2019)
Years active2013 – 2019
Website www.psy-fi.nl

Psy-Fi was an annual open air psychedelic music and arts festival in the Netherlands. The first edition was held in July 2013 in the Stadspark of the city of Groningen; all subsequent editions have been held in recreation area De Groene Ster to the east of Leeuwarden. It is one of the largest international festivals in the Netherlands and attracts thousands of visitors each year, with the 2017 edition reporting participants from about 100 countries. [1] In 2019, project leader Wiebe Kootstra stated that only 18% of the attendees lived in the Netherlands, the rest visited the festival from abroad. [2]

Contents

History

The first Psy-Fi festival was held in the Stadspark of Groningen, hence the edition was themed "Glow in the Park". It lasted from Friday night 12 July until Monday morning 15 July 2013, described as a "65-hour meditative trip full of hippie love and goa trance." [3] Subsequent editions were all held in recreation area De Groene Ster near Leeuwarden. The festival has often been described as "neopsychedelic" [4] and its participants "neo-hippies". [5] [6]

Both the 2016 and 2017 editions were heralded as a great success, with many visitors praising the organisers, apart from parking problems. Some locals complained about noise, although official measurements concluded the sound remained within norms. [7] In 2017, project leader Wiebe Kootstra described Psy-Fi as 'a community of a week', where 'lots of different people all treat each other in the same way'. He said that everyone who came to participate was excited, the ambiance was "super relaxed" and there was no need for security measures against aggression. [8] An interviewed attendee described it as a "very open-minded festival, calm, everyone can sit and chill and do what they want" and that the people were "sweet". [9]

During the 2018 edition, themed "A Shamanic Experience", the opening ceremony featured shamans from Mexico, Greenland, the Māori community of New Zealand and a Native American from North America in traditional clothing, performing various rituals (including ancestor worship) with incense, several objects and acoustic music, led by drums. [10] The province of Friesland fined the organisation €10,000 over the placement of tents in the woods rather than exclusively on grass, which allegedly harmed flora and fauna. The organisation disputed the fine, saying they were not informed on time, and had no ways of accommodating all guests within the limited space available, and the mayor of Leeuwarden refused to extend the camping terrain out of safety concerns. [2]

From the 2019 edition onwards, the organisation intends to prohibit the sale of various single-use items in order to minimise waste. [11] It also decided that all food sold on the festival terrain would henceforth be vegetarian; during previous editions, about 5% of all food stands sold meat. [12]

The 2022 edition that was planned for 14-18 September was cancelled because the municipality of Leeuwarden had made administrative mistakes concerning the permits around noise and environmental impact. [13]

Art at Psy-Fi. Psyfi1.png
Art at Psy-Fi.
EventDateLocationNotes
Psy-Fi 2013: Glow in the Park12 – 15 July 2013Stadspark, Groningen [3]
Psy-Fi 2014: Inside the Vortex28 August – 1 September 2014De Groene Ster, Leeuwarden [5]
Psy-Fi 2015: Out of the Void27 – 31 August 2015De Groene Ster, LeeuwardenThe 2015 edition reportedly attracted 15,000 visitors from 83 countries. [14]
Psy-Fi 2016: Holographic Universe [15] 24 – 28 August 2016De Groene Ster, Leeuwarden
Psy-Fi 2017: Book of Changes16 – 20 August 2017 [16] De Groene Ster, LeeuwardenThe 2017 edition reportedly attracted 15,000 visitors [4] [6] from about 100 countries. [1]
Psy-Fi 2018: A Shamanic Experience15 – 19 August 2018De Groene Ster, LeeuwardenThe 2018 edition reportedly attracted 11,500 visitors. [17]
Psy-Fi 2019: Seed of Science [18] 28 August – 1 September 2019 [18] De Groene Ster, Leeuwarden [19]

Terrain

The festival terrain at De Groene Ster is subdivided into sections, including several stages featuring different styles of music, a Sacred Island (including The Spirit Gathering) where workshops and lectures are held and services are offered, art galleries and expositions, and numerous shops where food and drinks, clothing and merchandise can be bought. [4] On the edge of the festival terrain, there are two camping sites for participants. Visitors can swim in the various open waters on the terrain, [4] which is an official nude beach. [20]

Drug policy

Psy-Fi is known for its liberal policy regarding drugs, which Vice News described as 'free and responsible'. [22] After negotiations, the city council of Leeuwarden agreed that on-site education about various substances would be better than collecting fines, and agreed to a system of elaborate information and help for users, availability of legal drugs and drug tests. [22] Officials and organisers noted that the kind of substances used at Psy-Fi did 'not cause nuisance, there are no fights, unlike at parties elsewhere in the city.' [22] If caught, illegal drugs will be confiscated, but police and security are not systematically looking for it, and attendees can usually bring their own substances without getting in trouble. [22] [23] It has been claimed that Psy-Fi is one of the few festivals around the world where legal psychedelics are also sold, namely psilocybin truffles. [22] [23]

Complaints about noise

Some local residents complained about noise from the 2014 edition, and demanded that the festival be prohibited. However, the judge ruled that the city council of Leeuwarden should first conduct sound measurements at Psy-Fi 2015 to check whether sound limits were actually exceeded. [24] Other locals reported no nuisance from noise in 2014, and enjoyed the festival visitors' presence. [14] After the city council imposed additional sound regulations in late 2015, Psy-Fi briefly considered moving to a different municipality, [25] but decided to stay and accept the stricter norms. [26] In April 2016, the municipal remonstrance commission reprimanded the city council for not taking nearby residents' complaints about noise seriously enough. [27] In 2016 and 2017, two-thirds of all complaints (the total being 70 in 2016 and 100 in 2017) about the festival were about noise; however, according to the city council, which regularly measured the sound levels, no norms were crossed. [7] Meanwhile, the vast majority of nearby residents from surrounding villages appeared to be okay with the relative level of noise for one week a year. [28] In August 2018, a judge ruled that the bass sounds had to be decreased from 96 to 79 decibel at night (from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. during midweek and from 1 a.m. to 9 a.m. in the weekend) to allow nearby residents to sleep. Complainants were satisfied with the "significant reduction", and organisers said it made "little difference" to them. [29]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Friesland</span> Province of the Netherlands

Friesland, historically and traditionally known as Frisia, named after the Frisians, is a province of the Netherlands located in the country's northern part. It is situated west of Groningen, northwest of Drenthe and Overijssel, north of Flevoland, northeast of North Holland, and south of the Wadden Sea. As of January 2020, the province had a population of 649,944 and a total area of 5,749 km2 (2,220 sq mi).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leeuwarden</span> City and municipality in Friesland, Netherlands

Leeuwarden is a city and municipality in Friesland, Netherlands, with a population of 123,107 (2019). It is the provincial capital and seat of the Provincial Council of Friesland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bartlehiem</span> Hamlet in Friesland, Netherlands

Bartlehiem is a hamlet, located partially in Noardeast-Fryslân, partially in Tytsjerksteradiel, and partially in Leeuwarden. It consists of about 40 houses.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Arlman</span> Dutch politician

Christiaan "Chris" Arlman was a Dutch politician of the Labour Party (PvdA). During 26 years he was the mayor of four different municipalities, and the chairman of two professional football clubs. He is noted for developing wellness tourism to Nieuweschans, being the first mayor of a united Pekela, for expanding the sea port of Harlingen, and for handling major budget crises at BV Veendam and Cambuur Leeuwarden.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eurosonic Noorderslag</span> Annual music festival in Groningen

Eurosonic Noorderslag is an annual four-day music showcase festival and conference held in January in Groningen, Netherlands. The first three days of the festival (Eurosonic) feature artists from all over Europe, the last day of the festival (Noorderslag) features only Dutch artists. The conference is held during all four days of the event. Several awards are presented during Eurosonic Noorderslag: the Music Moves Europe Talent Awards, the European Festivals Awards, the Buma Cultuur Pop Award (Popprijs), the Pop Media Award, The Feather, the "Iron Venue and Festival Animals" and the Buma Music Meets Tech Award.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Himriksmole</span>

The Himriksmole, also known as Groene Ster after the recreational area and nature reserve where it is located, is a drainage mill near the village of Tytsjerk, Friesland, Netherlands. It is a hollow post windmill of the type called spinnenkop by the Dutch. The mill is listed as a Rijksmonument, number 35675, and is used to raise the water level in the nature reserve.

De Grië is a restaurant located in Oosterend, Terschelling, in the Netherlands. It is a fine dining restaurant that was awarded one Michelin star in 1993 and retained that rating until 2005. For 2007, it was again awarded a Michelin star.

Petrus Wijtse Winkel was a Dutch colonial administrator in the Netherlands East Indies and centenarian. He is known for helping British military personnel escape the Dutch East Indies under Japanese occupation.

Ricardo Luciano Kip is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a midfielder.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aris Leeuwarden</span> Basketball team in Leeuwarden, Netherlands

Aris Leeuwarden is a Dutch professional basketball club based in Leeuwarden. The club competes in the BNXT League, and has competed at the highest national level since 2004. Aris plays its home games at the Kalverdijkje. Its most notable successes are reaching the DBL finals in 2013 and the NBB Cup final in 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jeroen van der List</span> Dutch basketball player

Hieronymus "Jeroen" van der List is a Dutch professional basketball player for Feyenoord of the BNXT League. Standing at 7 ft 0 in, van der List usually plays as power forward.

The 2017–18 Dutch Basketball League (DBL) was the 58th season of the Dutch Basketball League, the highest professional basketball league in the Netherlands. The regular season started on 7 October 2017 and ended 21 April 2018. Donar is the defending champion. The playoffs started on 1 May and ended 29 May 2018. Donar captured its seventh championship, its third in a row and fourth in fifth years, after defeating ZZ Leiden in the finals.

Mediahuis Noord, formerly known as NDC Mediagroep, is a Dutch publisher of newspapers, magazines, and websites focused on the three northern provinces of the Netherlands: Drenthe, Friesland and Groningen. It is owned by Mediahuis, a Belgian company. Headquarters are in Leeuwarden, other offices are in Groningen and Meppel. In addition to three main provinces, NDC publishes and distributes also in the Kop van Overijssel, Noordoostpolder, and northern Flevoland.

<i>Redbad</i> (film) 2018 film

Redbad is a 2018 Dutch drama film directed by Roel Reiné. It is based on the life of Redbad, the medieval king of Frisia. The film was intended as the middle part of a trilogy about iconic Dutch/Frisian heroes, starting with the film Michiel de Ruyter about 17th century admiral Michiel de Ruyter and ending with a unmade film about William of Orange.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dairy Campus</span> Test farm and research centre

The Dairy Campus in the Netherlands is a test farm and centre for scientific research and practical training in the field of dairy farming, located, the capital of the province of Friesland. The decision to launch this centre was made in 2011, and it was opened in 2016. The Campus traces its roots to the test farm Bosma Zathe, founded in Ureterp in 1944; its building complex was formerly called Nij Bosma Zathe. Today, the Dairy Campus is part of Wageningen University & Research (WUR). All activities in the centre are focused on the development of sustainable methods for the production and processing of dairy products.

Bernhardus "Bernhard" van Haersma Buma was a Dutch politician and writer. As politician he was part of Christelijk-Historische Unie (CHU) and later CDA. He was mayor of Workum and Sneek.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Habtamu de Hoop</span> Dutch television presenter and politician

Habtamu Emke de Hoop is an Ethiopian-born Dutch television presenter and politician. He served as a member of the municipal council of Súdwest-Fryslân between 2018 and 2021, and he hosted the educational children's show Het Klokhuis. De Hoop was elected to the House of Representatives in March 2021 as a member of the Labour Party (PvdA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Romke de Jong</span> Dutch politician

Romke Harke de Jong is a Dutch entrepreneur and politician of the social liberal party Democrats 66 (D66). He took over and expanded his father's ice cream catering company and served on the municipal council of Opsterland in Friesland between 2010 and 2018. De Jong became a member of the States of Friesland the following year, and he was elected to the House of Representatives in the 2021 general election.

Tiny Hoekstra is a Dutch women's footballer, who plays for Ajax. She previously played for Heerenveen between 2012 and 2021, and was the top scorer in the 2018–19 Eredivisie. Hoekstra has played for the Netherlands under-17, under-19 and under-21 teams.

References

  1. 1 2 Auke Zeldenrust (21 August 2017). "Geslaagd Psy-Fi festival in Leeuwarden". Omrop Fryslân (in Dutch). Retrieved 24 August 2018.
  2. 1 2 Geert Veldstra (22 March 2019). "Festivalorganisatie Psy-Fi vecht dwangsom voor kamperen in de bosjes aan bij de provincie". Friesch Dagblad (in Dutch). Retrieved 28 March 2019.
  3. 1 2 Timo Pisart (9 July 2013). "Festivallitis: paddestoelen, yoga en Goa-trance in Gronings park". 3VOOR12 (in Dutch). Retrieved 24 August 2018.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Jacob Haagsma (17 August 2017). "Kleurrijk Psy-Fi wordt de drukste editie ooit". Leeuwarder Courant (in Dutch). Retrieved 24 August 2018.
  5. 1 2 "Psy-Fi - Into The Vortex @ Groene Ster Leeuwarden 28 aug 2014". Leeuwarder Courant (in Dutch). 28 August 2014. Retrieved 24 August 2018.
  6. 1 2 Arodi Buitenwerf (21 August 2017). "Einde Psy-Fi brengt bonte exodus op gang". Leeuwarder Courant (in Dutch). Retrieved 24 August 2018.
  7. 1 2 "Eindscore Psy-Fi: 'We kregen niets dan lof van de bezoekers'". Leeuwarder Courant (in Dutch). 21 August 2017. Retrieved 16 October 2018.
  8. ↑ "VIDEO: Wat is Psy-Fi voor festival?". Omrop Fryslân (in Dutch). 18 August 2017. Retrieved 16 October 2018.
  9. ↑ "VIDEO: Portret van een Psy-Fi bezoeker". Omrop Fryslân (in Dutch). 19 August 2017. Retrieved 28 March 2019.
  10. ↑ Jacob Haagsma (15 August 2018). "Wat doen sjamanen zo vroeg bij de opening van Psy-Fi?". Leeuwarder Courant (in Dutch). Retrieved 16 October 2018.
  11. ↑ "Volgende editie van Psy-Fi is afvalvrij". Leeuwarder Courant (in Dutch). 22 August 2018. Retrieved 16 October 2018.
  12. ↑ Yme Gietema (13 March 2019). "Psy-Fi verduurzaamt verder: volgende editie volledig vegetarisch". Leeuwarder Courant (in Dutch). Retrieved 28 March 2019.
  13. ↑ (rechtbank Noord-Nederland19 August 2022). Text
  14. 1 2 Arodi Buitenwerf (28 August 2015). "Psy Fi 2015 Out of the Void - Leeuwarder Courant". Leeuwarder Courant (in Dutch). Retrieved 24 August 2018.
  15. 1 2 3 4 Dolf de Vlugt (31 August 2016). "Psy-Fi 2016: Vijf redenen om er volgend jaar weer bij te zijn". 3VOOR12 (in Dutch). Retrieved 24 August 2018.
  16. ↑ "Friese festivals in augustus: waar moet je heen?". Omrop Fryslân (in Dutch). 1 August 2017. Retrieved 24 August 2018.
  17. ↑ Jacob Haagsma (15 August 2018). "Festival Psy-Fi op de vroege ochtend ingezegend met een ceremonie". Leeuwarder Courant (in Dutch). Retrieved 24 August 2018.
  18. 1 2 "PSY-FI "Seed Of Science"". Psy-Fi website. 2018. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  19. ↑ "Travel Info". Psy-Fi website. 2018. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  20. ↑ Kim Bos (28 July 2017). "Blootlopers en surfers delen dit strandje". NRC Handelsblad (in Dutch). Retrieved 28 March 2019.
  21. ↑ "Psy-Fi 2016: Tips van dj en 3rd BIT Events-oprichter Paul Bachy - friesland".
  22. 1 2 3 4 5 Thijs Roes (31 August 2015). "Psy-Fi laat zien dat een liberaal Nederlands drugsbeleid werkt". Vice News (in Dutch). Retrieved 28 March 2019.
  23. 1 2 "Politie houdt drugsdealers aan op festival Psy-Fi". Leeuwarder Courant (in Dutch). 16 August 2018. Retrieved 28 March 2019.
  24. ↑ "Psy-Fi Leeuwarden begonnen: strenge controles gemeente". Omrop Fryslân (in Dutch). 28 August 2015. Retrieved 24 August 2018.
  25. ↑ "Trancefestival Psy-Fi verlaat Leeuwarden". Leeuwarder Courant (in Dutch). 13 November 2015. Retrieved 28 March 2019.
  26. ↑ "Psy-Fi festival blijft in Leeuwarden". Omrop Fryslân (in Dutch). 18 December 2015. Retrieved 28 March 2019.
  27. ↑ "Leeuwarden berispt om vergunningen voor Psy-Fi". Leeuwarder Courant (in Dutch). 3 April 2018. Retrieved 30 March 2019.
  28. ↑ Rutger van der Meij (20 August 2017). "Dorpen gunnen Psy-Fi'ers hun beats". Leeuwarder Courant (in Dutch). Retrieved 30 March 2019.
  29. ↑ Pieter Atsma (10 August 2018). "Rechter schroeft basgeluid Psy-Fi 's nachts terug". Friesch Dagblad (in Dutch). Retrieved 30 March 2019.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.