HISTORY
Rototom Sunsplash is one of the largest reggae festival in Europe.
Ever since 1994, when the festival first started, it has been drawing thousands of young people from every corner of the world to North-eastern Italy: every year, the Rivellino Park in Osoppo becomes a multi-ethnic village where people live together under banner of peace, respect and freedom.
Last year over 150,000 persons attended the festival: most of them camped at the venue, either in camper vans or tents, whereas others booked rooms in the various hotels and bed & breakfasts in the environs. Everything was sold out for a radius of 30 km.
This original event combines music and engagement, fun and opportunities to meet, discuss and reflect upon various issues. For ten consecutive days, together with the great live acts, there is a full schedule of various activities: debates, films and documentaries, photo exhibitions, workshops on percussions, African dance, Capoeira and Didjeridoo, sessions of meditation and alternative medicine, meetings on reggae music and Rasta culture. A professional team organizes creative workshops, puppet shows and juggling to entertain the large number of children that are always present at the festival.
More than a music festival, the Rototom Sunsplash can be considered a real holiday: during the daytime, those who do not attend the various debates and workshops can sunbathe, play frisbee or football, read, rest on a hammock or simply wander around the village, mixing with a multitude of new friends.
When the sun goes down, the lights on the main stage turn on and music becomes the undisputed protagonist. One after the other, the top artists and bands from Jamaica, Africa and Europe go on stage, giving rise to unforgettable performances. When the concerts finally come to a draw, everybody moves either to the dance hall tent where international sound systems play until dawn, or to the various ethnic stalls, to enjoy a quieter night.
Bars and restaurants are open all day and night to offer drinks and dishes from all over the world, whereas in the crowded, open-air market, reggae music and positive vibes spread out from every stall. As well as records and handcrafted products, in the market you can find many non-profit organisations who promote their countless activities, aimed at improving living standards around the world.
GETTING TO ROTOTOM SUNSPLASH FESTIVAL
The event area of Benicassim, in Castellón province, will hold the forthcoming 2010 edition of the festival.
Inside the area you will find a fully equipped camping site, concert stages, the workshop grounds, the screening and debates tent, a market; music and dancing classes, an alternation of music artists and lecturers, sports activities.
For more detailed information on the city of Benicassim, please check out the municipality website. Further information on the territory can be found on the Comunitat Valenciana website.
TRAVELLING BY PLANE
There are 4 international airports in the vacinity of Benicàssim, namely:
VALENCIA (90 km - approximately 50 mins). Trains or buses (see section on buses) available from the airport to Benicassim.
REUS (165 km - approximately 1hour 40 mins). Buses to Tarragona from where you can catch a direct train or a bus to Benicassim.
BARCELLONA (260 km - approximately 2 hours 40 mins). Trains from airport to central station. From Barcelona Sants direct trains or buses (see section on buses) are available to Benicassim.
ALICANTE (273 km - approximately 2 hours 30 mins) From Alicante airport is possible to catch a train to Benicassim (link www.renfe.es) or buses (see section By Bus).
TRAVELLING BY BUS
The main bus station for all National connections is in Castellon (tel. 964 24 07 78).
From Castellon you can reach Benicàssim by bus or by train.
TRAVELLING BY CAR
Main national routes:
From Valencia: National route N-340, exit 12 km north of Castellon. Highway AP-7 exit 46.
From Barcellona: National route N-340, uexit 12 km north of Castellon. Highway AP-7 exit 45.
From Zaragoza N-232: Zaragoza - Morella - Vinaròs - Benicàssim.
From Teruel N-234-340: Teruel - Segorbe - Sagunto - Castellón - Benicàssim.
From Madrid N-III-340: Madrid - Valencia - Castellón - Benicàssim.
From Bilbao: On the route of Logroño until Zaragoza, from Zaragoza to Teruel and after N-234 or N-340
TRAVELLING BY BOAT
The Port of Barcelona is located 280km away and can be reached by sea from Genoa, Civitavecchia, Port Torres (Italy), Ciutadella, Mahón, Alcudia, Palm, Ibiza (Spain) and Tangeri (Morocco); alternatively the Port at Valencia can be reached from the Balearic Islands.
From Livorno, Civitavecchia and Porto Torres to Barcellona: Grimaldi Lines
From Civitavecchia and Livorno to Barcellona: Transmediterranea Trasmediterranea
From Genova to Barcellona: Grandi Navi Veloci
TRAVELLING BY TRAIN
The closest train station is BENICASSIM.
Check out the Renfe website if you are planning to travel by train. Non-stop trains to Benicàssim only from some destinations. You may have to change some trains to reach the festival.
For foreigners coming from other European countries: please check with Spanish Rail Service / +44 (0) 207-725-7063, Elipsos (trains from Milano, Zurich, Paris to Barcelona) and TGV Europe.