UK festival to explore psychedelic medicine

Returning for its fourth year, Medicine Festival is set to host some of the world’s leading psychedelic researchers alongside indigenous elders from across the globe.

Medicine Festival has established itself as the “alternative to the archetypal rock n’ roll hedonism” that is usually associated with festivals. Providing an alcohol and drug-free environment, the festival will feature talks, ceremonies, rituals and healing workshops – including panels on psychedelic medicine.

Co-Founder of Medicine Festival, Remi Olajoyegbe, commented: “With indigenous elders once again headlining our event, this year’s festival will be a Mecca for wellbeing, ceremony, world music, dance, sacred activism, nature connection, multicultural arts and a joyful celebration of diversity.

“Medicine is proud to be part of a growing global movement that is reigniting the ancient ways, reviving natural healing modalities, pioneering land-based technologies, bridging cultures and embracing the interconnectedness of all life as we strive to revive our planet at this critical time.”

Exploring plant medicine 

Alongside workshops on nature connection, permaculture, sound, tantra and sexuality and much more, the festival will see indigenous elders sharing thoughts and discussions, dance and song.

Ceremonies, rituals and healing workshops will be facilitated by the indigenous leaders, including lauded “Rockstar of the Forest” Ninawa Pai Da Mata, chief of the Huni Kuin tribe (Brazil), a gifted musician and shaman; Anthar Kharana from the Colombian tradition; Juan Carlos Taminchi from the Andean traditions (Peru); Christiana Aro-Harle from the Tuvan tradition (Finland); Tibetan monk, Tulku Lama Ahbay Rinpoche; and elders from the British Isles, such as Chris Park (Druidic tradition) and Annie Spencer.

All this will take place alongside discussions that feature psychedelic scientists from across the globe that are leaders in their field, including Darren Le Baron, Chris Timmermann, Dr Rosalind Watts, Leor Roseman, David Luke, Alexander Beiner, Rayyan Zaffar, among others. 

Image by Cecelia Fog.

Talks on psychedelic medicine, mushrooms and wellness include:

• You Are A Mushroom Having A Human Experience. Talk + Q&A with Darren Le Baron.
• The Brain and Altered States with Rayyan Zafar, David Erritzoe, Gregory Cooper, Maria Balaet, Rebecca Harding and Chris Timmerman.
• From personal to collective: ayahuasca as a peace-making tool among Palestinians and Israelis with Leor Roseman.
• The complexities of spiritual transformation: guru messiahs, spiritual narcissism and conspirituality with Mark Vernon, David Luke, Alexander Beiner, Jules Evans, Fleur Britten, Stefana Bosse and Jennifer Tessler.
• What the Bleep is Healing Anyway? With Louis Weinstock and Sam Moyo.
• The Medicine of Men’s Work with Michael Maisey, Peter Bennet, Leyth Hampshire, Alex Cottle, Lawrence Joye, Tony Riddle and Zak Avery.

An enlivening Wellbeing Programme will also host ecstatic dance legends Kareem Raihani (Amsterdam) and Mushina (Portugal), Movement Medicine maestro Ya’Acov Darling Khan, and offers a diverse spectrum of workshops and healing modalities – from yoga, meditation, breathwork and bodywork, to nutrition, forest bathing, reiki and massage.

Supporting indigenous communities 

As well as bringing community, entertainment and thought-provoking discussions, Medicine Festival is a C.I.C and not-for-profit organisation.

It holds the principle of reciprocity at its core, and its founding principle is that all profits each year go towards empowering indigenous peoples to preserve and protect their land, traditions and wisdom.  

Finally making a profit for the first time in 2022, Medicine has so far donated over £40,000 to selected charities like Survival International and Amazon Watch, and a variety of exciting projects across the globe, including a cultural restoration initiative for the Yawanawa tribe in Brazil and a programme providing education for Tibetan monks. 

“Four years in the making, we are delighted that the prayer of Medicine has finally become a reality,” says Zak Avery, Co-Director of Medicine Festival.

World music and family entertainment

The eclectic mix of music at this year’s event will encompass world music, folk, electronic dance and sacred songs from different global traditions. 

Headliners include Sam Garrett, Nessi Gomes, The Human Experience, K.O.G, Laboratorium Piesni, Fia, Ayla Nereo, Fanna Fi Allah, Awaré, Etherwood, DJ and climate activist El Buho and FaceSoul.

The Family area will offer games, creative activities, woodland adventures, storytelling and workshops for the youth in music making, bushcraft, foraging and sharing skills and inspiration for creating a healthier and more sustainable future.

Strolling through wild woodland, beautiful parkland and past tranquil lakes, you’ll encounter fantastical theatre, storytelling and comedy performances, thought-provoking film screenings and a colourful miscellany of walkabout performers, poets and fire jugglers.

Jenna Ansell, Managing Director of Medicine Festival, says: “We are excited to unveil our newly expanded 2023 event and hope you can join us to explore the myriad ways you can experience the medicine, and be the medicine, as we come together for this wondrous, ceremonial celebration of life.”

Medicine Festival 2023 is now sold out, but anyone wishing to attend is encouraged to join the waiting list and look out for ticket resales: https://mailchi.mp/medicinefestival/2022-theme-emerge-10-off-tickets-17038724?e=719a4bab22

The event takes place at the Wasing Estate, Reading, Berkshire from 17 to 21 August, 2023.