Tell us what you thought

[Paul Kingsnorth]

A I suggested on my blog post today, we would love to hear thoughts on the festival. What worked, what didn't, what could improve, change, be lost, be gained. Bear in mind it was our first time, an experiment in form and content, and much doubtless slipped between the cracks. I already have some thoughts about how things could progress and would really like to hear others. I'd also like to hear suggestions for who could talk next year, and about what, and in what format ... and much more.

Let us know what you think - post on this thread, or on one of the other threads that's been put up here today (thanks people for starting those) or, if you'd prefer, send us an email: [e-mail]. Dougald and I are both going to be pretty much off-duty for a fortnight or so, but after that we can rejoin the conversation.

Thanks everyone. I've loved it.

[Stephen Watson]

Hello fellow DMs!

Conflicting feelings, but hey! I liked the setting of Llangollen, the canal, the hills, river and the railway so it felt like a break as well as a 'serious' event. But the antiseptic cafeteria and its limited choices and the lack of any real beer was a shame, though good beer was to be had in town.

I felt as though I'd spent far too much time in that big hall listening to people talk, though that was my choice, but I would echo the 'top down' feel and I missed smaller, more exploratory discussions where we could chew over a subject, and importantly, get to know the people with whom we were sharing the weekend. I would have liked much more shared, 'low level' opportunities for discussion and socialising - I met many enthusiastic, intelligent and beautiful people (I'm sounding like a flower power child) but didn't really feel as though there was any part of the schedule that facilitated that - it was left to occasional meets in the pub or perhaps over a jacket potato. I met a wonderful man purely by chance on the bus leaving for the rail station simply because the seat adjacent him was vacant! I was so glad that I joined in the open mike in the church as it was inspiring and connecting to hear and share in the amazing talents in music and poetry that people offered spontaneously.

I really enjoyed most of the 'big' music I heard, especially the superb Jon Boden and Chris Wood. I also must say that the combination of Alastair's poetry reading and Iain's piping touched something very deep in me with tears streaming down my face and left me in what I can only call an altered state for about 2 hours afterwards. It was one of the highlights of the weekend and totally unexpected. It felt like a shared group ritual, whether willing or unwilling from the participants in the hall. Something in future connecting the power of music and poetry and/or song in this way again would be something I'd love to see and hear.

There was a lot of event clashing and I know it's always a problem but maybe less events and spread them around a bit more so that I could experience a wide variety of discussion. The main hall dominated my event list and they were positioned as the 'main event' which had the effect of marginalising other items on at the same time. Programming is no easy thing but maybe offer some suggestions to us and see what we feel may work best.

The camp site was a fine place, but as others have said, the inability to sit round a fire together was regrettable and something I would have appreciated.

Overall I found it stimulating, moving, exciting and found everyone to be open, direct, welcoming and friendly but more spaces to talk between ourselves to discover the gifts we all brought to Llangollen would be been well worth having.

Thanks so much, finally, to Paul and Dougald for putting in all the work and to everyone else who helped to make it all happen.

[Bill Trible]

Hiya - just wanted to say we had a great time and thanks for having us! We've started writing a little Festival diary and will post that and some photos on our blog plus soon, hopefully get it published in some paper media too - I'll add a link once it's done. Cheers from all Feal Real / Yon crew!

http://myspace.com/fealrealx

[PHIL FOGGITT]

I share those sentiments Stephen- but I wonder whether the pre-festival activities were focussed more on interactive sessions- leaving the weekend for the big names? If this was the case I can't see many people having the opportunity to get away for a whole week- so the weekend must incorporate all these opportunities
The whole DM project is setting a very high bar- so getting the process as well as the end-product right will be quite a challenge. I also think if we can come up with the right venue many other things will fall into place- positive energies go a long way! I went to many "conferences" at Unstone Grange and liked the whole ambience- its also very central and pretty easy to access- even with public transport
PS- one positive I failed to mention in my first submission was that DM helped folk to share lifts-something that most events still fail to organise- thanks DH/PK

Stephen Watson said:

Hello fellow DMs!

Conflicting feelings, but hey! I liked the setting of Llangollen, the canal, the hills, river and the railway so it felt like a break as well as a 'serious' event. But the antiseptic cafeteria and its limited choices and the lack of any real beer was a shame, though good beer was to be had in town.

I felt as though I'd spent far too much time in that big hall listening to people talk, though that was my choice, but I would echo the 'top down' feel and I missed smaller, more exploratory discussions where we could chew over a subject, and importantly, get to know the people with whom we were sharing the weekend. I would have liked much more shared, 'low level' opportunities for discussion and socialising - I met many enthusiastic, intelligent and beautiful people (I'm sounding like a flower power child) but didn't really feel as though there was any part of the schedule that facilitated that - it was left to occasional meets in the pub or perhaps over a jacket potato. I met a wonderful man purely by chance on the bus leaving for the rail station simply because the seat adjacent him was vacant! I was so glad that I joined in the open mike in the church as it was inspiring and connecting to hear and share in the amazing talents in music and poetry that people offered spontaneously.

I really enjoyed most of the 'big' music I heard, especially the superb Jon Boden and Chris Wood. I also must say that the combination of Alastair's poetry reading and Iain's piping touched something very deep in me with tears streaming down my face and left me in what I can only call an altered state for about 2 hours afterwards. It was one of the highlights of the weekend and totally unexpected. It felt like a shared group ritual, whether willing or unwilling from the participants in the hall. Something in future connecting the power of music and poetry and/or song in this way again would be something I'd love to see and hear.

There was a lot of event clashing and I know it's always a problem but maybe less events and spread them around a bit more so that I could experience a wide variety of discussion. The main hall dominated my event list and they were positioned as the 'main event' which had the effect of marginalising other items on at the same time. Programming is no easy thing but maybe offer some suggestions to us and see what we feel may work best.

The camp site was a fine place, but as others have said, the inability to sit round a fire together was regrettable and something I would have appreciated.

Overall I found it stimulating, moving, exciting and found everyone to be open, direct, welcoming and friendly but more spaces to talk between ourselves to discover the gifts we all brought to Llangollen would be been well worth having.

Thanks so much, finally, to Paul and Dougald for putting in all the work and to everyone else who helped to make it all happen.

[Douglas Strang]

Dear Paul and Dougald,

I echo all the positives. It was an AMAZING weekend, and you have my heartfelt thanks. Still reeling and processing. Have written a review for Bella Caledonia, an online political journal - google Bella Caledonia, and click on recent posts 'Dark side of the Mountain'. It won't tell you anything you don't know already, but it will help to spread the word.

Here's a piece called 'When the times darken' by Bertolt Brecht, as translated by the poet Edwin Morgan. Seems appropriate:

When the times darken
will there be singing even then?
There will be singing even then.
Of how the times darken.

Oh and I'd urge you all to read David Malouf's novel An Imaginary Life. It most assuredly deserves to be part of the 'Uncivilised' reading list.

Again, well done guys,

much love.

[Heaðstapa]

Congratulations and thank you to everyone involved.

I'll echo so much of what's already been said; from the desire for more appropriate food and drink (the barman claimed it impossible to get such a thing as bottled local ale, bless him), to a desire for flatter event structures, that might have encouraged more conversation (perhaps the stage setting is part of what made George Monbiot feel so much on trial and therefore so disappointingly combative and defensive). More time allocated to user-guided discussion spaces between events might encourage people to interact and converse more (although interaction was nevertheless pretty good). An ideas wall, or other space to share developed or developing concepts might have been useful too... it could also be tied into the opportunity for attendees to hold/host their own discussions and feed output back into the conversation.

Saying that, I loved the fact that one of the first things announced was that unexpected interest from those in the 'manual arts' had been latterly acknowledged and a session arranged on 'making and doing'. In this session, creators of violins, boats, homes and houses discussed the misplaced and under-appreciated joy, importance, capacity and zen of manipulating the physical environment, encompassing tool use, housework and handicrafts.

Unciv was not, as a curious, nearly-attendee asked yesterday, at all gloomy. I never expected that, but it's definitely something that some people seem to imagine or expect. Perhaps a piece of 'lighter dark art', humorous or boldly optimistic, might be given a prominent place on the website. Of course, they might have just been reading Monbiot articles about DM...

As for artists for next year... perhaps it's a little beyond expectations, but why not entice Laurie Anderson? Try listening to Tuesday's BBCR3 Late Junction, especially for her gently apocolyptic 'Another Day In America', 12mins in
It's time for these unhumanised ideas, so she may want in and may not want a usual fee (assure her that money is so 'trivially modern').

Compassionately revolutionary,
Jack

[Stephen Watson]

One thing I didn't mention previously was jogged by Jack above, is that I felt really lightened and uplifted after the weekend which was not what I'd expecteded - not that I was anticipating my expectations! I think that this was the result of being reminded that it's people, in all their fears and joys that make up so much of how we feel about what's going on and there were some real heart to heart conversations with honesty that I had there and that was uplifting for me.

Jack Richardson said:

Congratulations and thank you to everyone involved.


Unciv was not, as a curious, nearly-attendee asked yesterday, at all gloomy. I never expected that, but it's definitely something that some people seem to imagine or expect. Perhaps a piece of 'lighter dark art', humorous or boldly optimistic, might be given a prominent place on the website. Of course, they might have just been reading Monbiot articles about DM...

[John Gower]

I think its just a reflection of the imagery and styling. Its not such a big deal in the whole scheme of things, but I think that the image needs adjustment! It all looks a bit Tolkein and so conjours up doom and gloomy type preconceptions which I dont think are either warranted or that helpful to the scheme going forward.

Also, and I know I have raised this elsewhere, I just didnt get the whole being Down on George Monbiots input thing. I thought he was great, happy to engage, brought a positive message and was a welcome addition to the schedule. I know there have been a few pops each way in the press, but its all good really in my view - healthy diversity!

He seemed keen to ensure that a need for practical action wasnt lost amidst a sea of 'its all hopeless, Give Up and run to the hills!'. As it turns out some people were keen to stress that wasnt what they were promoting, so thats fine then!

In my opinion some critisism of 'aspects' of activism is completely fair, as is some critisism of a lack of practical action. Its all part of the 'conversation' :)

[Debjit Chaudhuri]

Hi,

Just wanted to know if there are any chapters/meetings outside of the UK. I am based in Germany.

Debjit Chaudhuri
www.elpis.com

[Dougald]

Hi Debjit -

I don't know if there are any meetups happening, but there are definitely a few people in Germany who have been in touch with us about Dark Mountain. The only person on the network who I can think of is Cat Lupton - you could post a message on her profile, perhaps?

Thanks,
Dougald

Debjit Chaudhuri said:

Hi,

Just wanted to know if there are any chapters/meetings outside of the UK. I am based in Germany.

Debjit Chaudhuri
www.elpis.com