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Groovity Friendstival (September 24)

Friendstival 2024 was truly something magical—months in the making, weeks of planning, and an all-hands-on-deck effort in the final days. The prep was intense, with friends gathering from all over, even across the ocean! Robert flew all the way from the USA, bringing his skills and endless energy to help us set up. Every corner of the factory was touched by someone’s hand, each space transformed with love, hard work, and a lot of laughs.

With just days left, we worked around the clock, hauling equipment, setting up lights, and converting the old pottery oven into an incredible dance floor, thanks to Robert and Evgeny. Volunteers like Jane and Jenya went above and beyond, cleaning out what used to be a cluttered storage space and turning it into a magical bar, where conversations and laughter would soon fill the air. JT set up a vintage Nintendo64 game corner. Ringo and Mia brought the walls to life with fresh, vibrant murals, adding color and personality to every nook and cranny.

The festival itself was a blend of creativity, music, and nature. DJs Anna Kasyan, Solyr, Guvibosch, Khalicious, Kere, Kobzev, IvanLeMutant, Flybutter ​played groovy tunes that filled the factory, and dancers took to the floor, moving beneath the high ceilings and vintage beams. We ventured out one day to a nearby lake to witness a stunning migration of geese, hundreds soaring across the sky, marking the start of fall. It felt like a gift to be able to see such a spectacle together, surrounded by friends and the crisp autumn air.

Back at Joylery, the vibe was unmatched—bonfires crackled, stars lit up the sky, and Tim, the festival’s unsung hero, shuttled people to and from the site, making sure everyone arrived and left safely. The outdoor shower (aka the trusty garden hose) offered a refreshing and humorous experience, and the bar we’d created from a dusty old storage room became the weekend’s social hub. Between the art, music, and new friendships, Friendstival reminded us just how special Joylery is—a place where creativity, community, and a bit of hard work turn a forgotten space into something extraordinary.

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