About the festival

The idea of live art performed in the nature in the list of the most ancient human activities. Five years ago (in 2003) a successful open-air gathering of 300 people gave birth to the event which later turned into a festival and finally into a movement demonstrating an advanced alternative to the “main stream” approach to music and art in general. The main definitions of the Empty Hills are NON-FORMAT, OPEN and FREE.

The style of music presented at EH is not defined. It’s common knowledge that today’s music discoveries can’t be classified in terms of the modern pop-standards. It’s also obvious that the pop-culture doesn’t show the real variety and quality of the modern music art. One of the mission of EH is to reveal the fact that the quality music doesn’t have to be popular.

EH is not limited by any stylistic frames, so it can be described as a “non-format event” which demonstrates not only the diversity of music styles but also a boundless range of creative opportunities in other performing art forms, including theater, cinema, dance, sculpture… In fact, the last EH combines a music fest and a carnival – and this tendency is likely to develop.

The concept of OPENNESS is expressed through the opportunity for everyone to participate and to share. The atmosphere of mutual understanding and tolerance brings up the wish to express people’s imagination in clothes, make-up, design, spontaneous jam-sessions and workshops.

Based on an non-profit principle, the “FREEdom” of the festival exists on all levels.

The purity of the idea started with the non-formal meeting of a handful of musicians and spectators but now attracts dozens of the world’s music monsters such as The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, The Doors, etc. It goes without saying, that all of them being warmly welcomed by the play for FREE – or to be more exact, gladly come up with the intention to play for FREE.

The spirit of FREEdom is inevitably applied to all the visitors. Provided with the opportunity to camp without any fees in the closest admission to the stage or anywhere else they choose, to have the unhampered access to music and performances, both spectators and participants feel the natural need for their personal contribution to the atmosphere of creativeness, thus giving rise to the enormous volunteer movement. Their activities range from the technical support and the preparation of the territory to decorating and workshops.

The nature which is one of the main moderators of the mystery - it provides the sufficient festival platform for thousands of people, forms perfect sound conditions, interacts with the people’s moods thus waking the feeling of responsibility for everything happening around. That is why many of inspired visitors stay for a few days after the festival of their own FREE will and help to bring the territory to its initial state.

The funding is provided by the participants, sponsors and donators, but the festival is FREE from borax banners and promoters. Its exponentially growing popularity was gained through FREE non-formal communication. You won’t find much advertising of EH in the mass media since the ordinary consumers of the pop-culture are unwanted here. Thanks to this measure the cases of aggression during the fest are solitary.

Although the event has been successfully held 5 times since “2003” and therefore claims to be annual, it’s clear for everyone that every time the organization of EH becomes a titanic mission and faces considerable obstacles so nobody can promise that the fest will be possible the next year. Nevertheless this doubtful “occasion” has reserved a regular place in the calendar of the brightest summer events.

The combination of the totally non-profit management on the international level together with the variety of the presented sub-cultures and the exceptional artistic value turns the event of the Empty Hills into a unique phenomenon, raised by uncountable voluntary efforts, where everyone can take part.