SZIGET FESTIVAL
“ The lighting system has become a key symbolic visual element of the main stage look and feel, which we are really happy with,” says Horváth.“ We are always looking at different ways to make sure that security personnel can work in the pit in the most effective and professional way. The barrier lighting really helps our security team, and the authorities now expect us to use it because they believe it is the most secure way to work.
Environmental challenges
Tying in with Sziget’ s stated focus on environmental sustainability, DBS has taken action to minimise its impact. This summer DBS received certification that it has reduced the carbon impact of its sales and rental crowd safety barriers by a further 35 %, to an overall 3.8 kg CO2 per kilogram of used aluminium, by sourcing the most sustainable certified material.
A brutal heatwave in the lead up to Sziget saw Hungary endure recordbreaking temperatures of around 40 ° C for sustained periods before the thermometer fell to slightly more civilised levels during the festival. The extreme drought led to very low water levels on the Danube and meant that the festival team had to implement a host of mitigation measures to protect the site and attendees.
Huge clouds of dust became a near ubiquitous feature at festivals this summer as a result of attendees kicking up the dry soil created by a prolonged lack of rain. Among the mitigation measures taken at Sziget to control the dust was the use of huge snowmaking machines to spray audience members with a cooling fine mist of water.
Says Horváth,“ This has been the biggest drought in Hungary’ s history. Being on an island, surrounded by water, you wouldn ' t imagine that we would have any problems, but the park maintenance team told us that normally the water level is about six metres below ground, we ' ve gone down to 15.
“ We are doing our best to look after the site but it ' s a massive challenge. We use
the misting machines at the entrances at the main stage, and our crew is putting on those sprinklers at six am to reduce the dust. We learned in the last couple of years that if you can maintain the grass that really helps when it comes to lowering the temperature. Of course, we have to be mindful of making sure we find the best balance of maximising the benefit and minimising the use of the sprinklers.”
Despite it being a city-based festival, Sziget offers attendees a range of camping options, and for this year’ s event introduced a Camping of Nations zone in an area of the site next to Sziget Beach where it is possible to take a dip in the river and cool off from the summer heat. The area consisted of countryinspired zones for people who wanted to camp near festivalgoers from their home country. There was also a Diverse Nations Area for a more communal multinational environment.
It is free of charge to camp at the event for those who bring their own tents but an elevated experience is offered at the Sziget Ville Premium; where residents can enjoy wellness facilities, Wi-Fi, a 24-hour service desk and a range of accommodation from bell tents to airconditioned structures.
Says Horváth“ The paid-for pre-pitch tents are more popular than ever but we don ' t want to go fully in that direction. Sziget is known as the island of freedom, and we believe people should have the freedom to just put up their tents for free and enjoy the festival. I ' m always surprised though by where some people choose to set up their tents; it seems some like to camp right next to a stage.”
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