Another surprising thing at Ilosaarirock for me was to find a sand beach and a bay for swimming inside the festival area - just next to the Rentolava. People are swimming or practising something like this or just laying on the beach at the same time as they are enjoying the bands.

I guess that this is one thing that one and especially foreign people don’t expect when coming to a festival in Northern Europe. And don’t be afraid of the temperatures - somehow people just have told me in advance about Finland as the country of permanent cold and darkness. But that’s not the complete truth. There’s real summer time too, and going for a swim during a festival is not just something refreshing. It can also save you from spending money for having a shower, if you aren’t too demanding.
The Finns know and they are prepared for it - I’ve passed during this day several people equiped with swimming belts in various models like frogs, or with other doubtful safety measures that should keep them floating. So remember for next time, if you haven’t known til yet - don’t forget your swimming stuff when coming to Ilosaarirock.

But sand isn’t always the best friend of the festival folk, especially not when it is combined with wind. Small sandstorms during the gigs, like I have experienced during my short stop at the Blackalicious concert, gives you the feeling of being somewhere else than at a festival. As there are always two sides of the coin, one have to see the good side of the wind - the more wind, the less mosquitos. So just be happy about it and have a good time here.

Text: Katharina Mörtl

15.07 2006 klo 21:07 - In English.