The universal language of music.0:11
Christine Manners shares her experiences on of a popular musical event.0:23
The skies open and the rain pours down, a sure sign that we are enjoying an English summer.0:29
The ground beneath our feet is rapidly turning into a field of mud.0:36
But it doesn't matter.0:41
I am having the time of my life dancing and singing along to the music at the local Womad festival with thousands of other fans from all over the country.0:43
The world of music, arts and dance, or womad, tries to give us a taste of the musical styles that are enjoyed all over the world.0:55
And it has become so successful that Womad festivals are now held in several countries.1:04
The idea for the festival was the brainchild of Peter Gabriel, who came to fame as the lead singer of the rock group Genesis.1:12
His dream is to broaden our horizons, getting us away from the music we hear on the radio or TV every day.1:21
Gabriel says the festivals have always been wonderful and unique occasions which have introduced many talented artists to an international audience.1:31
Equally important, they have also helped audiences to understand cultures other than their own through the enjoyment of music.1:42
Music is an international language that brings people together.1:51
World music was the motivation for these hugely important three day carnivals and to this day remains the main attraction.1:57
But there are now other delights to experience.2:06
Over the years, the festival has turned into an event for the whole family.2:10
At this particular festival, I find activities designed for children, as well as workshops, multimedia exhibits and stalls selling all kinds of handcrafted goods.2:15
The fun is not only experienced by those in front of the stage, but also by those backstage.2:28
I am lucky enough to be invited backstage, where there is a feeling of brotherhood and sisterhood among many of the artists, as well as a feeling that they are doing something to improve international understanding.2:36
The musicians have come here from all over the world, from Alaska to Zanzibar, so it is not surprising that the festivals have become known as the global village.2:53
Nobody is in competition to be the biggest or the best, and the focus is firmly on community spirit.3:05
Artists share changing rooms and food, laugh, joke and swap stories about life on the road.3:13
Although people are in high spirits, the weather is a major problem for this British festival.3:20
A common sight is people wearing a plastic bag on each foot.3:27
These do it yourself boots protect the wearer from the brown soup the field has become.3:31
Experiences like this explain why Womad has occasionally been renamed womud.3:38
Nothing, however, can dampen the enthusiasm of the audience.3:46
Taking a look at the fans from the stage, I see a crowd that is unified despite their differences.3:50
This togetherness is reflected in the final performance of the weekend, designed as a celebration of the main idea behind the festival.3:58
The artists gather on stage to give a performance in a multitude of languages.4:09
We might not understand every word, but the feelings are unmistakably universal.4:14
It just goes to prove that music truly has the ability to break down the language barriers which so often divide us.4:21
The concert ends and I join the crowd as it drifts away, leaving behind the echo of the last note played along with the mud splattered field.4:30
The stage comes down and the tents, stalls and canteens are taken apart.4:40
The car park slowly empties as a quieter day dawns over the countryside.4:45
Another festival is over and all that remains are the fond memories, but the die hard WOMAD fans are already looking forward to next year's event.4:51
The real joy of having happy memories is the belief that sometime, somewhere, you'll get the chance to create even happier ones.5:02
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