Green Vibrations

Green Vibrations is a student music festival/house party that has grown from strength to strength in recent years. This is the first year it has been called a "festival".
It is held in Enschede, a mythical sleepy industrial town on the German border - mythical because of the fireworks factory explosion disaster that happened there exactly 10 years ago, and the many people who have studied there; sleepy because of the lack of people about town and a feeling of desertion; and industrial, when contrasted with Leiden's more charming, warm traditional atmosphere.
Arriving in town, on the fateful date of 13 May that 10 years ago claimed the lives of 22 people, there was the mixed feeling of sombreness for the victims, and excitement for the festival to come.
Also, the house where we were to couchsurf was located near the old rundown Polaroid factory. I have been told that it will soon reopen for the Impossible Project.




The festival, held at Enschede's Technical University campus, appeared makeshift and was smaller than expected. Wooden slats artistically and haphazardly nailed together greeted the partygoer. On arrival, everyone was handed a wristband and a cup, with which one could limitlessly refill with various drinks including world-famous Grolsch, which is brewed here in Enschede.

The University campus is located by a forest, hence the 'Greeness' of the Vibrations.

There were four different areas playing hippie, mainstream obligatory rock, hiphop and techno music, featuring local and student talent that was good enough to justify our train trip across the country to attend.
One could also climb the steps of the overlooking tiered student apartments, giving a great overview of the entire scene, providing respite from the crowded party atmostphere on the ground and a quieter place to chat and refuel on the residents' food.














For me, this party really felt like Europe, with generic European students, on a typical European university campus, right in the middle of Europe.
That night, as I left the afterparty early, I ended up at the house where we were couchsurfing first and alone. At this ungodly hour, the house had taken on the 'haunted house' persona. The dim yellow lights of this old house came from a creepy chandelier hanging from the ceiling and were reflected in an olden framed mirror.

Thorsten as Lily's hunchback from 'How I Met Your Mother'