What is Done at Home Counts: The Story of the Atmosfera Festival | Gretka Pavlovová | TEDxHumenné

Úvod a pozadie festivalu Atmosféra

• The speaker is grateful for the warm welcome and is excited to be in Humenné, where she has the opportunity to talk about the Atmosfera Festival, which she founded, and share an inspiring story about making big things happen even at a young age (4s).
• The story begins with the speaker's background, where she grew up in a small village and attended high school in Krupina, where there were limited opportunities for self-realization (1m36s).
• The speaker notes that many people in the audience may have experience living in a village, but for those who don't, the cultural life in a village is often limited, consisting of attending church on Sundays, visiting a local business, and playing football, with occasional events organized by the local community (1m59s).
• The speaker asks the audience how many of them know where Hontianske Nemce is, and about a third of the audience raises their hands, which is a good start (1m0s).
• Hontianske Nemce is a small village near Banská Štiavnica, and the speaker likes to say that it's a great place, and the Atmosfera Festival is also held there (1m17s).
• The speaker's goal is to show that even in a small village, big things can happen, and she's excited to share her story and inspire the audience (20s).

Prvý ročník festivalu a jeho vývoj

• The initial motivation for organizing a festival was to bring culture to Hontianske Nemce, as the speaker had not yet attended a festival like Pohoda and wanted to create something similar in their hometown (2m41s).
• The first year of the Atmosfera festival took place in 2012, 12 years ago, and was held in a cultural house, which is a challenging venue to make cool, but the team managed to make it work (3m2s).
• The first edition of the festival started with a Zumba performance, which was very popular in Hontianske Nemce at the time, and the goal was to attract as many locals as possible (3m44s).
• The first year of the festival was attended by 300 people, and the speaker presented it as an innovation in a small village in Russia, where people were enthusiastic about the idea (4m10s).
• Over the 12 years of its existence, the Atmosfera festival has moved from the cultural house to a beautiful green meadow, where a three-day festival is now held, featuring a large area with various activities (4m42s).
• The festival has grown, and the 2022 edition featured a large area with a green meadow, despite it being a very dry year, and the event has become a standard in the region (4m48s).
• The speaker also mentioned that the festival's popularity was helped by inviting well-known figures, such as Marián Labuda, a local, and a popular football player, to attract more visitors (3m56s).
• The festival's growth and success have been significant, and it has become a notable event in the region, with the speaker proud of what has been achieved (5m0s).

Lokalita a prostredie festivalu

• The Atmosfera Festival is held in Hontianske Nemce, a location that was initially seen as a challenge but eventually became an advantage due to its beautiful green surroundings amidst vineyards, near Banská Štiavnica, with a view of the Štiavnické vrchy mountains (5m3s).
• The idea of the festival was born out of the desire to create an event for local visitors, but it eventually grew to become a larger event open to the whole of Slovakia (5m25s).
• The festival was initially held on an asphalt surface near a football field in the village but was later moved to a beautiful green meadow, which turned out to be a great advantage (5m41s).
• The festival's location in Hontianske Nemce, which was initially seen as a disadvantage, became a unique selling point, as the beautiful environment amidst vineyards is unparalleled (5m59s).

Koncept a cieľová skupina festivalu

• The festival's concept is based on the idea of creating an event that is truly held on a green surface, which people can enjoy every year (6m19s).
• When the festival first started, it was a small, family-oriented event with a limited budget and no large team, but the main idea was to create an event that would attract local people and families (6m30s).
• The festival's focus on family-friendly activities, including those for children, was seen as a great way to attract people to the event (6m47s).
• The goal was to create a format that would work for the whole family, without making distinctions between different age groups, and to make the event primarily for the local residents of Hontianske Nemce and surrounding villages (7m0s).
• Over time, the festival grew, and the idea was to make it larger, as initially, it was limited to a small group of people (7m23s).
• The initial concern was that people from Hontianske Nemce would not attend the festival, but the decision was made to open it to everyone, aiming to create an event that would attract people from all over Slovakia and make them want to return every year (7m32s).
• The goal was to create a festival for everyone, but experience showed that this approach does not always work, and it was necessary to find a target group that would naturally be drawn to the event (8m2s).
• The target group was found to be people attracted to the beautiful natural environment of Hontianske Nemce, the limited size of the festival, and the family-friendly atmosphere (8m19s).

Atmosféra ako viac než len festival

• The festival, initially called Atmosfera, was found to be a unique event that is not just a regular festival, but a community-driven gathering that is suitable for young families with children and is considered very safe (8m47s).
• Over time, the term "festival" was dropped from the communication, as it was felt that Atmosfera is more than just a regular event, but an experience that combines various aspects, including the natural environment, good people, and a well-curated program (9m7s).
• A key decision was made to keep the festival small and intimate, rather than growing it in size, which is a natural tendency for large festivals, and this decision is believed to be a good one (9m50s).
• The focus on keeping the festival small and "komorný" (cozy) has allowed it to maintain its unique atmosphere and appeal to a specific audience (10m2s).

Dôraz na komornú atmosféru a kvalitný program

• Small events where people feel safe and have the opportunity to experience a unique atmosphere on smaller stages are becoming increasingly popular, and organizers are focusing on depth, which means quality and depth of experiences (10m8s).
• The goal is to create "Magic moments" through accompanying or musical programs, or ordinary moments that people experience while sitting in a meadow, which is what the festival atmosphere is all about (10m28s).
• The festival relies on its natural environment and tries to do things differently, such as the "dup stage," which allows artists to perform in a non-traditional way (10m48s).
• Even bands that usually perform on large stages can perform on the festival's smaller stages, and the organizers try to do things differently, such as creating a discussion forest (11m15s).
• The festival is not just about music, but also about meeting people, inspiring each other, and sharing ideas and new inspirations (11m31s).
• The event has a strong accompanying program consisting of discussions and various genres and topics, as people want to talk and share their thoughts and ideas (12m2s).
• Organizers enjoy finding new formats, connecting musicians, and doing things differently, often outside of the stage, such as a concert by Pari and Martin Geišberg, who performed together while walking through the meadow (12m16s).
• The festival also features a discussion forest, where people can discuss various topics, and it has become a popular aspect of the event (11m17s).
• The organizers have learned from people like Mišo Kaš that a festival is an excellent place for people to meet, get inspired, and share ideas (11m39s).
• The event's focus is on creating a space where people can share their thoughts, ideas, and inspirations, and it has been successful in doing so (11m59s).

Festival pre všetky vekové kategórie

• The Atmosfera Festival aims to break down barriers, specifically the notion that festivals are only for young people, as seen in a favorite photo featuring the festival organizer with their grandmother from Hontianske Nemce, who attends the festival every year with her group of seniors (12m47s).
• The festival offers free admission to seniors, allowing them to attend and enjoy the event with their families, promoting a concept where grandparents can bring their grandchildren and experience a unique weekend together (12m54s).
• The festival has become a space where seniors can be active and engaged, with a notable example being the attendance of Blue Grandma, a well-known influencer, and her grandson Marek, who participated in a discussion about aging (13m34s).
• The festival has seen a significant increase in senior attendance, with 300 seniors attending the event, and organizers are considering introducing a symbolic admission fee for seniors in the future (14m1s).

Hodnoty a posolstvo festivalu

• The festival values freedom, support, democracy, and equality, and aims to promote and symbolize these values through music, programs, and initiatives (14m19s).
• One example of the festival's values in action is the presence of a Ukrainian stand, and a notable fact is that a tractor from the festival's storage was repainted and became a symbol of Ukrainian heroes (14m40s).
• The festival is seen as a great space to show people that the values promoted are not just words, but are put into action, and that the goal is not to convince people, but to show them that these values are important (15m1s).
• The Atmosfera Festival aims to showcase new directions and ways of thinking, and it has been successful in doing so, providing a great space where people can open up and communicate with each other on various topics, including interesting debates, over a drink (15m13s).

Nové koncepty a aktivity na festivale

• This year, the festival introduced a new concept called the "Community Table," which symbolizes people coming together to have fun, talk, and enjoy each other's company while sharing a meal (15m29s).
• The festival also focuses on working with the space, searching for "magic corners" in the forest where people can experience the festival in a unique way (15m38s).

Komunita a dobrovoľníci festivalu

• The Atmosfera Festival is not just a one-time event, but rather a community-driven project that has been organized by a large group of young volunteers who dedicate their time and effort to make it happen (15m54s).
• The festival's success is attributed to the community and the people involved, and it serves as a reminder to appreciate and engage with one's local community, as it gives a sense of purpose and fulfillment (16m20s).
• The festival's organizers believe in the importance of community and the impact that a group of people can have when working together towards a common goal, which is to create a positive experience for others (16m41s).
• Every year, around 150 new volunteers, both young and old, join the festival's team, contributing to the growth and strength of the community (16m48s).
• The festival's organizers value the experience of creating something for others and believe that this sense of purpose is what drives the community to continue growing and spreading positivity (17m0s).
• The festival's motto, "What is done at home counts," emphasizes the importance of local communities and the impact that individual actions can have, regardless of where one lives or works (17m16s).

Význam lokálnej komunity a domova

• The concept of "doing something at home" is associated with a connection to family, the place where one grew up, and the people who live there (17m32s).
• This connection might also lead to a deeper understanding of why Slovakia is the way it is and encourage a different perspective on the world (17m41s).
• The idea of creating a utopian or ideal world might seem unrealistic, but it can be achieved through community and shared experiences (17m57s).
• The Atmosfera Festival is an example of such a community, where people come together to create a sense of belonging and connection (18m2s).
• The festival provides a space for people to find meaning and inspiration, and it can be a source of motivation for others to create their own communities (18m11s).

Atmosféra a jej jedinečný zážitok

• The festival's atmosphere is characterized by a sense of freedom, joy, and connection, with people from all walks of life coming together to enjoy music, nature, and each other's company (18m32s).
• The festival takes place in a small village called Hontianske Nemce, where attendees can walk through vineyards and arrive at a beautiful green meadow (18m47s).
• The meadow is filled with the sounds of music, laughter, and conversation, and attendees can sit down, relax, and enjoy the atmosphere (19m19s).
• The festival features a variety of music, including Slovak bands, and attendees can enjoy their favorite music while surrounded by nature and good company (19m23s).
• The overall atmosphere of the festival is one of joy, connection, and a sense of community, and it can be a source of inspiration for others to create their own communities and connections (20m0s).

Záverečné pozvanie a výzva

• The Atmosfera Festival is an important event, and people are encouraged to attend it (20m6s).
• If one cannot attend the festival, they should still engage in activities that give them a similar feeling and share those experiences with others (20m8s).
• The key takeaway is to spread and share the positive experiences and feelings that the Atmosfera Festival embodies (20m13s).