Several women from Vitoria-Gasteiz related to music* have presented the Mamarru Fest festival at the Gaztetxe in Vitoria-Gasteiz. Mamarrans are “small and mischievous” beings of Basque mythology, with which “dissident and oppressed identities have been linked: Mamarraches, trans, bolleras, subiditas, puticornios, barriobajeras…” It will be held on 8, 9 and 10 May in the occupied Errekaleor district of Vitoria-Gasteiz. For three days, they want to turn the traditional musical festival model, in different ways.

On the one hand, the taboo will be transformed: “We see Zis men onstage. The empowerment, security and boldness that it takes to get on the stage through power relations has been in the hands of a few. We're sick. So far we’ve been silent, watching the show of others, but that’s over.” To do so, “cis men” will place “other subjects” on the stage.

Beyond the stage

But the goal is to turn all the spaces and shapes of the festival around, not just the stage. Special attention to consumption. Drugs are understood “as part of a demobilization strategy”. To avoid the “gap” only “fermented or homemade beverages” will be sold and, while an inadequate environment is created, the bar will be closed. In addition, they have called for the collaboration of all people so that the enclosed spaces become spaces without spaces and have called for "conscious" consumption if done.

“We are what we eat,” the festival organizers say. That is why all products will be “local or recycled”. They have invited attendees to “speak in Basque” and have explained that they will implement different protocols in the face of any type of aggression.

Festival of presentations at the Gaztetxe

The Gaztetxe de Vitoria-Gasteiz will welcome the presentation of the Mamarru Fest, which will be held on 1 February. From 18:00 in the afternoon, talks, concerts, DJs and dinner food will be offered, and the festival website mamarrufesta@riseup.net will be activated that day.