Smukfest binds generations together through music and community

Beautiful party, also known as Denmark's Most Beautiful Festival, is every year the meeting point for thousands of people who want more than just a musical and festive experience. In the middle of the forest-fringed oasis, the generations merge, and a flourishing community thrives across age and background.

This phenomenon is realized thanks to Smukfest's mantra of "anti-everyday", which at the festival develops into a lifestyle in itself. The term is more than just an empty slogan. It acts as an invitation to a world where the unusual is not only tolerated but embraced. Here, at the same time, a deep value arises in the togetherness across generations, which creates a valuable mosaic of experiences and perspectives.

A joint party for all generations

And precisely that of bringing together the different generations in a community through the music at Smukfest, I had a chat about with Søren Eskildsen, spokesperson for Smukfest.

"It is precisely this breadth of the age range that makes Smukfest a unique gathering point for both young and old. Our average age is around 39," explains Søren. "But if you move into the camping area 'Kærlighenden', the average age is around 20 years. So our audience is really broad, and that helps to create a special atmosphere in the forest.”

This diverse perspective lies at the heart of Smukfest's "anti-everyday". But what does this term mean in practice? According to Søren, it's more than just a catchphrase: "We don't try to impose attitudes or opinions on our guests. Instead, we create the framework where people themselves want to engage in conversations across different backgrounds.”

Music for all generations

But what is it exactly that Smukfest succeeds so well in the interaction between generations? And how did it succeed in creating an atmosphere where both young and old feel welcome and connected, where age differences are not important, and where conversations and shared experiences flow naturally across backgrounds and experiences? “We create places with tables where people can sit and talk. There is a common consensus to talk together, even if you don't necessarily come from the same place in society or be in the same age group," explains Søren. This inclusive approach is also emphasized by the varied music played at the festival. From youthful bands to the more established names, Smukfest manages to give all age groups something to talk about and dance to.

This attention to community and diversity even goes as far as the camping areas, where generations meet naturally. Here, Smukfest experiences a tendency for people to move to camping areas that match their needs. “This is not just about age. It's also about creating the opportunity for generations to meet across the board," explains Søren.

Smukfest's deep connection with the guests

Feedback from previous Smukfests has helped shape Smukfest as an event that really appeals to all ages. For the people who book the music for the festival, they always listen to the guests and try to meet their wishes and needs. This is subsequently reflected in the music program, where they do their best to get the names on stage that the audience wants to experience. "In fact, we had the vast majority of the desired names from the top 20 list for the festival in 2023 on stage this year," says Søren.

But it's not just about music. The feedback also has a deeper dimension that relates to communities. Smukfest strives to create a framework that supports community formation, where people can meet across different backgrounds and ages. "Our primary purpose is to promote celebration and community, and this is also reflected in our bylaws, which impose a responsibility on us to support those who feel lonely and vulnerable in the community," says Søren and continues.

"We also recognize that as a festival we are part of a larger society, and we want to take responsibility for this. We want to create an awareness among our guests of the privileged position they enjoy as part of our festive community. At the same time, we also hope that our guests take reflections home with them when they leave Smukfest. We want them to understand that there are people outside the forest of the festival who also need support and care in the community.”

This openness and friendliness goes hand in hand with the festival's values, where they insist that people speak nicely and treat each other properly. "Fortunately, our audience agrees with that," says Søren. This contributes to an atmosphere where kindness and consideration for others is the norm. And it was something that I clearly noticed myself already on the way to the festival. Because even on the bus to and from Aarhus, people were friendly to each other and talked to each other on the bus.

Smukfest's values ​​and atmosphere are also reflected on the festival's official website, where the language is value-adding and inviting. "We want to create a basic understanding of what kind of community you are entering as a guest even before you come to Smukfest," explains Søren.

The magic in quirks

A decisive factor in creating this unique Smukfest feeling is the festival's volunteers. They not only help to improve the practical aspects of the festival, but also host the good atmosphere. "When you participate as a volunteer, you take responsibility for everyone having a good time and being in a good mood. The positive experience you get as a volunteer rubs off on other guests and creates a chain reaction of kindness and commitment. The great role of volunteering is a crucial part of the festival's success. It is our dedicated volunteers who carry the very essence of Smukfest with them and share it with all the guests," says Søren with a smile

The many quirks that are created inside the forest also play an important role in bringing people together across generations. The quirks help to provide a lot of common experiences and topics of conversation. “They bind people together, and it's unpredictable who you end up experiencing these things with. This creates a well-intentioned occasion for conversation," explains Søren. This approach distinguishes Smukfest from other festivals that may focus more unilaterally on the music. Smukfest is not only a music festival, but also an arena for conversations across the board and a party that extends beyond just the music.

More than music

When the last tune has been played and the last guests are on their way home, what kind of feeling do the organizers from Smukfest want their guests to take away with them? "Our hope is that guests take away with them an experience of having spoken to people they might not have expected to speak to, and that they have experienced music they did not expect to experience. We want them to have experiences that challenge their perception of what a good party is and how we are all present in this world. Diversity and inclusion are essential, and it is important to understand that not everyone is present in the world in the same way. If our guests take this realization home with them, we are satisfied. Our purpose is to create a celebration of community, of love for one another, and this feeling must permeate the entire experience. We hope that this feeling also means that people look forward to next year with the expectation of experiencing another round of "anti-everyday," concludes Søren in a thoughtful tone.