I had the wonderful opportunity to participate in the Floating Castle Festival; the perfect mix
of novelty, inspiration and a pinch of mystic magic… So let me take you on a journey
through my experience of it! :)

I must, firstly, thank the lovely people at MCZoS who informed me of this event happening
and described it with such love and passion, I got very intrigued.
Safe to say, I wasn’t disappointed. So many stages, all set up and prepared to host
performances like music, spectacles, dances, comedical exhibitions and lastly: a big market
area, selling all sorts of arts and crafts.

The entire event was very in touch with nature as we were near a castle surrounded by
forest and meadows, it was truly a balm for the soul.
It was my first festival and my very first time camping in a tent! Which was exciting and
somewhat scary, without the comforts I am used to.

I decided to apply as a volunteer there, to help the festival and experience its greatness
from closer inside as well as part of the onlookers.
My task was to make sure the stages I was assigned would have everything necessary
for the performance, the artists would come, start and finish on time and be provided with
any extra equipment they needed. The role name is pretty funny, if you ask me: “Stage
Angel” (better known as Stage Manager).

I found some really impactful and good friendships with some of the other participants
and performers, I even got a signed CD by one of the bands as a token of gratitude!

But the best part is definitely the evenings, with music still playing till 2 A.M. and the
almost total absence of artificial lights, made the stars (..and the full moon on the 9th
August) shine so bright… It felt like travelling back in time to witness such beauty.

Overall I had so much fun, working with other volunteers, making new connections and
friends also exploring something new, that I never had the opportunity to before.

I will definitely go again next year!! :D

– Ivan Nikolov,

ESC prostovoljec