Come The Revolutions

Come the Revolutions

In 2007 you rebuilt the Garden afresh to create a Brave New World. This year the Art & Expression Theme is Come The Revolutions...

“Thought is subversive and revolutionary…Thought is great and swift and free, the light of the world, and the chief Glory of man”
- Bertrand Russell

For too long the great transformations - the revolutions that changed mankind’s destiny – have been held hostage by the political realm. Europe in the 17th century, Russia and China in the 20th: these are the political revolutions that inform how we think about mankind’s greatest moments.

At The Secret Garden Party this year we are exploring all the revolutions that have profoundly affected our path, reclaiming the term as one of positive change in our past, our present and our future. Revolutions of the Mind, the Body and the Soul; revolutions of science & spirituality; the sexual revolutions of the 20th century; the ancient revolution of fire and the present-day environmental revolution. Each area of the Garden will be structured around one of these, or other great epochs, of Revolution.

In 2008 we are taking the concept of total participation to the next stage, asking all who attend to create their own temporary revolution within the grounds of The Garden. You must think about the transformation you want to see in the world and then, using the freedom of the SGP, bring it to life for all to share.

Your revolution might involve…convincing others that contemplation is more important than action. If so, ask for funding to establish Contemplation Camp.

Your revolution might involve…demanding all people stay partying until dawn to celebrate the birth of a new day. If so, we will help you stage that ceremony and will be beside you as the summer sun arises once more.

Your revolution might involve…the world record for the Conga. Get in touch through our website and we will gather a team of Gardeners willing to take on the challenge.

Your revolution might involve...parachuting into the lake on Friday. There is an airfield nearby. How hard can it be?

We don’t know what changes you want to see in the world. We do know the Secret Garden Party is one of the few places in the world where all these changes are possible. We cant wait to see them blossom in the Garden…

"In this Revolution no plans have been written for retreat."
- Martin Luther King

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This is how The SGP will be exploring the revolutions…

Freedom

In the west we often hold this to be the greatest revolution of all. The Head Gardeners believe in a positive form of freedom, where all are supported by each other to achieve their desired role in life.

The Garden and its resources are specifically designed to promote this freedom. Once you have purchased your ticket we invite you to submit for grants to realise your wildest fantasies, from building huge sculptures to staging wild celebrations, designing your most outlandish costume to performing Shakespeare on the lake.

Once inside we do not have to bombard you with rules, regulations or wrist band checks: our small size allows this unique privilege.

Mind

The Science Camp, Gateway and Conspiracy Camp will explore the changes and possibilities of the psyche, looking at both eastern and western perspectives of mental endeavour.

The Secret Garden will also be promoting the health of the mind, offering super foods and energy boosting juices as alternatives to alcohol, keeping your spirits high as dawn approaches.

North of the lake will be free of repetitive beat music to allow the mind some rest, and your home in quiet camping is always close by.

Body & Soul

Through yoga, healing and massage the Sanctuary will also explore the recent revolutions in how we relate to and control our bodies. Dance workshops will also be open to all in the Centre Camp.

The Lost Horizons Sauna will provide an intimate space within which we can reconnect with our bodies in their purest form.

The Secret Garden is an environment away from the cities and schedules of our much crowded Island – we invite all Gardeners to reconnect with their body and soul through the weekend, be it swimming, drumming around fire circles, howling at the moon or competing in the Suicide Sports.

As ever, large corporate brands are NOT ALLOWED in the Garden – you cannot enrich your soul when you are staring at an O2 banner…

Sexuality

The Lost Horizons Sauna and Fig Leaf camp will return to keep the spirit of the sexual revolution alive!

Fire

The first revolution man enacted and the most profound of all. The Head Gardeners recognise the central role fire has always played in bringing humans together, acting as a catalyst for those early gatherings, celebrations and feasts.

We provide several fire circles around the site, stacked with timber and set alight at dusk each day of the event. Fire Camp will return, much larger for 2008, teaching all the art of fire display.

The fire revolution peaks with the Saturday celebration where all 6,000 will watch our central art installation burn to ashes in the centre of the lake.

Art

The Avant Garden’s manifesto is one of simple revolution – art for all, of all and by all. Please please get involved.

Music

Revolutionaries of old and new will be gracing the much-loved stages across the Garden, from the only floating dance floor in the UK the only theatre stage built within the branches of an ancient oak tree.

Community

The Party does not grow dramatically from year to year. All 6,000 people who come together are your future friends. Eventually we want all Garders to have met each other - keeping the event small is the only way to realise this aim and the only way to create a group of Gardeners passionate about creative expression and community.

Over the four days we ask you all to join together in the follwing..

v Competitions
v Celebrations
v The Burn
v The SGP on tour

Future

The revolutions of the future lie within you all. This Summer we look forward to seeing how mankind will be transforming…