One of the most famous faces seen during these days at the Rototom isthe one of the actor and activist Willy Toledo, who this yearparticipates in various activities at the Social Forum and he is alsoenjoying the festival. He assures feeling happy here, delighted withthe environment and, above all, with that wonderful mix of music andcompromise, between reggae and politics.

"It is very interesting thatpeople, apart from enjoying music, have the opportunity ofunderstanding better many of the conflicts that are happening in theworld and getting to know why many of the injustices in the world areoccurring. This is what makes this festival unique", he adds.This is because for Willy Toledo, the awareness of the world we areliving in is essential, "to be conscious of what happens, knowing whatland I am stepping on, who are the responsible for all the pain causedto humanity".

He assures that for this, he firstly tries notconforming with the information offered by traditional media, goingbeyond that and investigating through other ways. Afterwards, he saysthat he has no other choice than trying to change things, contributingwith his help.He explains that this fight is based on exposing the powerful "tryingto delegitimize as much as possible, their attitudes, their unfairways of living and their means to control societies". He is aware ofthe controversy created sometimes by his opinions and publicmanifestations but assures that he does not care getting insulted fromcertain sectors, because "the day that they applaud and kiss me, Iwill be doing things very badly". "I am happy of not being acomfortable person for power", he confesses.

It is through theatre where Willy Toledo - with his company"Animalario"- can nowadays join his profession with his politicalcommitment, because "both on television and films, it is impossible todo something that questions the foundations of the system". It isagreed that theatre is a very useful tool to move consciences and helpto build another possible world. He explains that, "With four chairsand one table it is possible to do theatre and that gives you freedom,opportunity and responsability of taking charge of a project frombeginning to end".

Toledo will return on tour after the summer with the play Penumbra andbeginning of next year, he wants to premiere the play El Montaplatosby Harold Pinter.

Celia Naharro Salas | Translated by: Mª Paz Marcos Silvestre