In a powerful win for anti-whaling advocates, Europe's largest music industry festival, The Great Escape, has decided to remove the Faroe Islands as its focus country for the 2025 event because of their continued practice of whale and dolphin hunting, known as the Grindadrap or Grind.
For those of us working to end the Grind, this decision marks another instance of the world taking notice and refusing to normalize or overlook the violence of whaling in the Faroe Islands. The Great Escape festival organizers faced growing pressure from animal welfare organizations, leading them to distance themselves from a country that continues to condone the killing of marine mammals, however the musicians will still be allowed to participate.
Animal Welfare Organizations Lead the Charge
The Sussex Dolphin Project, a key player in the movement to block this partnership, was quick to raise concerns. In a statement, their director, Lloyd Gofton, voiced alarm over the Faroe Islands’ selection and pointed to it as a form of "artwashing" to distract from the Grind. "We raised awareness of this partnership and urged The Great Escape to reconsider," Gofton stated. The campaign’s efforts quickly gained support, with local conservationists and international media pressuring the festival to disassociate from the Faroese government, whose policies enable the Grind.
The Sussex Dolphin Project clarified that their issue was not with Faroese artists, but with the government-supported Faroe Music Export (FMX), which they argue cannot be separated from the government’s stance on whaling. Thanks to widespread advocacy, including communication from activist groups and conservationists, the festival announced its decision to drop the Faroe Islands as a partner, marking a victory in the ongoing fight against the Grind.
Festival Prioritizes Music While Addressing Concerns
The Great Escape festival emphasized that while they no longer wish to align with the Faroese government, they will continue to support Faroese musicians. The festival clarified that its decision was aimed at keeping the focus on music, while addressing the ethical concerns raised about the Grind. Faroese artists will still be welcome to perform, but the Faroe Islands, as a country and its government’s involvement, will no longer be promoted at the festival.
By making this decision, The Great Escape has sent a clear message that cultural events can no longer ignore the ethical consequences of associating with governments and practices that promote the slaughter of pilot whales and other dolphins.
Valentina Crast, campaign lead for Sea Shepherd in the Faroe Islands, expressed hope that the decision will prompt further action. "This result exposes how the violence of a few damages the opportunities of many. I hope that Faroese artists will use their voice for change," she said.
Gofton and the Sussex Dolphin Project celebrated the outcome, noting the positive response from the community and media. "We are incredibly grateful for the support we received on this issue," Gofton stated. "This decision shows that when we raise our voices against the Grind, we can make a difference."
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