‘Sumer is icumen in’ goes the song and so is Sark’s La Beltane Festival, processioning towards us for its third instalment and bringing an exhilarating fusion of music, dance and performance in a vibrant celebration of Beltane traditions.
Supported by the States of Guernsey and Guernsey Arts, the festival is a modern day recreation and celebration of an ancient Iron Age Celtic ritual and is the only one of its kind to be found in the Channel Islands.
‘Having been resurrected as a practice two years ago, it has quickly become a popular event for our community, bringing many people together to acknowledge and revel in the birth of the summer and the beauty of our island at springtime,’ said festival founder and director Jolie Rose.
‘Last year’s festival sold out weeks before the event and guests flocked to the island from Guernsey, Jersey and the UK. We’re expecting to see many returning visitors this year and for the festival to sell out again. It’s such a magical day and many of those who attended commented on how it felt unique, full of heart and told a story, which is that we’re taking part in an ancient celebration of creativity, community and Mother Nature in all her glory.
‘People can take part in the daytime part of the festival by donation, keeping it accessible to all. The daytime feels like a traditional summer fete and everyone’s always impressed by how family-friendly it is.
‘The Saturday fair promises to be a vibrant mix of traditions and activities, featuring the ceremonial well-dressing, mummers’ plays, maypole dancing and the crowning of the May Queens. Visitors can also enjoy an array of crafts, hands-on workshops and diverse entertainment throughout the day. Lucia Faith is hosting the Goddess Temple and we’ll have Tol Galen, Guernsey’s live-action role-playing group bringing sword workshops, demonstrations and Knight School.
‘The day ends with a fire procession, where we burn a wicker man, made by Rae’s Willowcraft, before the ticketed evening music begins and everyone “has it large”, stomping to a great line-up of bands including local and international talent.’
Jolie believes that this year’s festival is the biggest and best so far.
‘We have an amazing line-up planned and more fabulous activities throughout the day to enjoy and the dream is that in a few years from now tourists will imagine we’ve been holding these celebrations on Sark for hundreds of years.’
In the lead-up to the event, visitors are invited to create ‘voluptuous garlands’ and ‘fantastical costumes’ inspired by spring, Beltane and the enchanting world of the fae.
‘We really want people to dress up,’ said Jolie. ‘We want it to be a dazzling spectacle of colour and creativity – and the best dressed wins a prize.’
‘The Beltane Festival is a wonderful event which celebrates performance, artistry, music,and crafts, in the beautiful setting of Sark,’ said Guernsey Arts’ head of development, Russ Fossey. ‘Guernsey Arts is pleased to see the festival develop in ambition and to support it for a second year running.’
Leading the line-up of great live entertainment are the Cor Damme Lars and the powerhouse band The Devil’s Cabana Boiz, featuring one-time Guernsey resident Llewellyn Van Eeden, alongside the dynamic Pillars and ending with the beats of DJ Kieran Higgs.
Adding a special touch to the festivities, a collective of eight talented Jersey folk musicians will come together as the Sarky Malarkey Ceilidh Band, kicking off the evening with a spirited ceilidh that will set the tone for a night of revelry.
The festival also welcomes UK-based talent, including John Hinton’s Ensonglopedia, a unique and captivating musical experience, and the much-loved hosting duo Adam & Eve, who will keep the energy high throughout the evening.
La Beltane festival is on Saturday 3 May at La Seigneurie, Sark from 12 noon to 12 midnight. The daytime fair is by donation on the door, the proceeds of which always go to the local charity, Sark’s Future Healthcare Initiatives, offering free check-up clinics for islanders. The evening event is £35 and tickets are available here.
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