at the weekend was speaking to people who had been involved in this years euro-teknivals, and have connections with the French crews.
the current news from FR is that the chenille-tek caused such a hassle and extra cost to the public services (thanks to “green” politicians covering up a danger from caterpillars!) that it is far less likely large events of this nature will be permitted again.
FR Teknivals were never accepted by the locals anyway; it appears that due to the machinery of government in that country the central govt (at the time swayed by ravers) simply imposed the event on the local area in spite of any protests from the locals.
at election time, this resulted in a change of government to a conservative one more sympathetic to the locals (farmers have more clout in France!)
there are also long-standing problems with pollution and violence (rapes, beatings) at large events worldwide (unlicensed or otherwise). Its simple group dynamics; large male-dominated groups from different areas can often find something to fight about, even in nice surroundings (look at AU for instance)!
But our French friends mentioned a new law was introduced; where any rave with less than 500 people which does not cause health/safety problems and is held with permission of land managers is permitted without excessive bureaucracy!
a similar (although more bureaucratic) scheme is supposedly in operation for the UK – in CZ (albeit after a riot, injuries and deaths) small scale events are also permitted.
New EU entrants are cautiously accepting teknivals, but have found in some cases that local criminals (NOT linked to the event!) took advantage of these events to commit crime.
This looks like a small bit of progress on our part; a grudging acceptance that there is a need for low-cost events and the current licensing system is skewed towards “big money” enterprises such as nightclubs which actually attract organised crime because of the high entry cost/high-risk nature of the events – “free parties” are clearly the least of many evils even to those who do not like our scene!
I still am concerned though as the Scandinavian countries and some of the new entrant nations are determined to clamp down on drug use and are doing so by restricting the associated culture; with some success.
Socially conservative attitudes from the East (not just Islam!) are also starting to gain credence with conservatives in Europe – businessmen look enviously at “hard working Asians” making their countries into new global superpowers and wish the EU youth were a bit more hard working and less hedonistic.
So its still very much a matter of people like us making a social case across the EU for these events to continue, and that will require greater maturity and equality amongst our community…
