Shirin Ebadi activist, 2003 Nobel Peace Prize

The Social Forum of Rototom offers an opportunity to meet and share ideas and solutions for the challenging times. Music is a universal language and the Forum with its guests and debates reminds us once again that the language of our soul is universal as well.

Bernard Cassen journalist, the ex-director de Le Monde Diplomatique, Founder of the World Social Forum

Rototom isn`t a typical social event, it integrates cultural, political and social debates with music. The Rototom Sunsplash, world festival of reggae, is a magnificent example of this. Undoubtedly, it is clear that reggae and jazz are not only a musical style, but also an expression of a popular culture movement. just as any authentic expression, it requires a universal dimension where we can all meet and listen to one another. From this point of view, we are all Jamaican!

The thousands of participants in the debates organized in Benicàssim in the frame of the Social Forum of  Rototom Sunsplash show the will of the young persons to denouncing the injustices and constructing a solidary world. For it, it would not be exaggerated to interpret the session of 2011 as one of the prolongations of the movement of Infuriated of the Puerta del Sol, born in the spring of 2011 in this emblematic point of the capital of Madrid.

Fermín Muguruza musician, producer, activist

We live in a time of festival invasion of which we can not escape. This format of "macro" festival that began spreading in the past decade seems to settle permanently or at least for a good amount of years.

The criticisms that were made toward these events continue to apply in an even more furious way, with a few exceptions; the triumph of the mass in all its aspects, lack of space for personal reencounters, constant aggression of the brands, logos and sponsors, who are not satisfied by provoking constantly, but have even taken over the names of the festivals.

So when I got a call from Rototom festival to participate in the Rototom Social Forum, it first called my attention that the Forum takes place during the festival, and secondly the success of the attendance in literally all their activities.

When I go to a concert, or even a festival, I am one of those who follow two premises: the first is from the historical Lithuanian anarchist Emma Goldman: "If I can not dance, I do not want your revolution" and the second is my admired writer and playwright Samuel Beckett: "Dance first, think later, it's the Natural order", but it turns out Rototom subverts the order and it is thought before, and danced afterwards, in a cycle of debate-music-debate that lasts a week. Something new and very attractive.

In the same way that festivals have been cloning each other, with their camping areas, chill out tents, etc ... it wouldn't be bad, that the experience of the Rototom Social Forum would be taken into account and also expanded to other festivals, introducing an important element of humanizing the face of such a conglomeration. Undoubtedly, it would be a great contribution for the concept of "Rebel Music", which is trying to be transmited from the Rototom.

Lola Matamala 

Rototom can be described as the polis we would like to live in without interruption: it perfectly combines entertainment and culture. We debate over the society (ies) we live in and respond to our wishes and desires. Thinking, thinking I would say it is the great polis: its environment and its inhabitants, especially the organizers, who are very special for their friendliness and warmth they spread.

Emma Goldman said: If I can't dance, I don't want your revolution.

For that, lets continue dancing at the Rototom!

Rosa Maria Calaf Journalist, ex-correspondent on TVE

It was an intimate and interesting experience to take part in the Festival.

Rototom let me know a group of enthusiastic and delivered young people without whom it would have not been possible to lead it towards such an excellent level.  Besides the opportunity to enjoy good music and an attractive and vivacious environment, I could enjoy a forum of reflections on topics of interest with personalities who have things to say.  It`s a valuable and admirable offer.

It’s not easy to organize acts of knowledge and diversity in the current apathetic and indifferent society of gangplank. Rototom obtains it and attracts the attention of a varied public. Thank you, sincerely. 

Esteban Ibarra activist, president of the Movement Against the Intolerance

Rototom is wonderful and its Social Forum is a place of exceptional meeting that allows us to debate, with a public with a high solidary commitment and eager for debate, topics of great significance as the fight against racism, xenophobia, neo-fascism and other associates manifestations. Long live Rototom and the Social Forum.

David Couso activist, brother of José, cameraman deceased in Irak

First of all, thanks to the organizers and partners of this event.

It is my opinion that in times like these it is necessary to blend music and a social project. Music has always represented and will always be a link between feelings and social creativity. If you add to this the possibility of creating a network of debates and reasoning, the result is a mix of struggle and commitment.

It is a pleasure to participate in the festival and contribute with the struggle of my family for the search of justice.

Leticia Iglesias editor for Telecinco, former CNN+

I took part in the Festival Rototom Sunsplash in the summer of 2011 and I was pleasantly surprised by the flawless organization of the forum and the incredible willingness of all the people involved. I was struck by the high level of discussion, the varied activities of the festival, the fantastic character of the people and especially the tidiness and good manners that I could found in people coming from all over the world ...

You would think that when someone gathers in the same area thousands of people for music, entertainment and outdoor activities, some disorganization, chaos, and even outrage might be encountered and even forgiven in advance ... but in the three days I spent at the festival I did not find anything like that. Quite the contrary. I could confirm with other participants, and also with the people of the city, that the festival has turned into a great initiative for Benicassim and for all those who spend their days there during the event. Those who go to Rototom have concerns, questions, curiosity, desire to learn, enjoy and let enjoy.

Congratulations on your activities and, above all, for your wonderful, family-like, character. I hope I can share these feelings again with you on many more occasions.

Santiago Alba Rico writer and philosopher

When the promoters of a reggae music festival invited me to speak about the Arab revolutions

 I was very surprised, but all my doubts disappeared when I saw myself into the Rototom enclosure in Benicàssim. Disappeared because then I understood that Rototom mixes three things that our

governments and capitalism want to separate: music, community integration and policy. We hope it

will last many years and will be imited in many places.

Susana Hidalgo journalist, editor in chief of Público

When someone goes to a reggae music festival, due to cliches, thinks that probably the public will be relaxed, only interested in taking refuge from summer warmth with good music. But what I saw last August at the Rototom was different: the social forum, a meeting place to debate was every time full of people of  all ages ready to listen, to talk and continue to do it even when the forum time finished. I spoke about Sáhara, but I also listened to Israeli soldiers, to Eluana's father, to Couso's brothers and to many others who,  like me, went to Benicássim to share experiences. Conversations continued between the books of the improvised bookshop or with a mojito on the terraces, taking advantage of the cool night. I left with an unforgettable experience and I only can say... God save the Forum and the Rototom! Don't let the cliches influence you!

Orfeo Suárez editor of El Mundo

Usually I attend discussions about football, but not as Rototom scenarios, so that the environment and the questions were very interesting, different to those I normally receive. It was nice, casual and committed both by the level of the auditorium. An excellent experience.

Carlos Paredes spokesman Democracia Real Ya

Using music as a thread, Rototom brings different cultures together, achieving an understanding between them which serves to illustrate what is really important: the life and human dignity must prevail over all sources.

Getting people to dialogue and understand each other, regardless of place of birth or social position is, in my humble opinion, the great achievement Rototom manage to achieve. What I saw this summer was much more than music, it was a meeting point and peaceful coexistence.

Rototom's bid for a social forum and dialogue, and the concern of the organizers to bring the same to people (often international prestige) proves it. Not only are they great artists and world-class musical groups that come together there, Rototom is simply much more.

So I can only thank the festival organizers that had the kindness to invite me to participate in it, was a surprisingly pleasant experience for me.

Amit Lavi, Shachar Zemach NGO Breaking the Silence

Rototom was a great opportunity for us in Breaking the Silence to describe the Israeli occupation over Palestinian territories for young, politicly awared, European public.

We hope our presence in the festival will encourage people to learn more about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and thanks the Rototom stuff who enabled us to do so.

Joep Encod Encod president

Rototom for me was an inspiration to defend just causes, the dream that unites millions of people: creating a world that restores the balance between man and nature, which allows everyone to maintain their physical and mental health, celebrate and enjoy life, no matter where they are or what the amount in your bank account.

It is an excellent opportunity to find good company and act together.

Chema Cardena Arden – playwright, actor

I can only say I find a it is a really good choice to include these activities in a festival like yours.

I think it enhances and differentiates it from other similar events. It was very instructive and above all the most interesting was the audience participation. I think it's invaluable being able to talk about the reality that surrounds us with young people who have concerns and ambitions. Listen to their freely expressed opinions about art and its relationship with people who have access to it. It was exciting, instructive and above all very pleasant. I congratulate you, I encourage you and to the extent of my ability I offer my help selflessly.

Thank you very much to all, health and good luck in your journey in Spain.

Héctor Brotons lawyer

It was a great festival with great content in every way, with a love and a heart. I repeated experience and deceive me again in many ways, artistic, intellectual, emotionally ...

As for the Social Forum in particular; wide range of topics that together create a different vision, exciting and fun, to face a different future in our world. Too bad he could not enjoy and participate more fully in the activities that the Rototom raised.

Thank you and ask you for your sensitivity to the drug policies that affect citizens' rights and maintain a veil of hypocrisy and dark, irrational behavior and negative consequences to the democratic functioning of our society.Thus, for the enhancement of plant and harmonious coexistence with ancient man as hemp and how much relationship it has to do with the essence of the festival.

Pablo Elorduy journalist, El Diagonal

What surprised me most is Rototom have seen how a festival with craft organization, understood this in the right direction but also in what is "small", you can call and captivate so many people.

I knew I was going to a place where the good vibes worked, solidarity and shared values, but, by sheer mental laziness, I thought such a powerful line up  was bound to be supported by major sponsors such brand of beer or cars. It was a surprise to see that it was not, and see living proof that self-management, enthusiasm and cooperation work.

Eric Gras journalist, El Mediterráneo

One of the keys I think fundamental to evolve as a person is to have the desire to continue learning. To achieve this goal, the key to everything is the reflection and analysis, which flourished - and how! - Throughout the festival Rototom Sunsplash held in late August in Benicassim. As I said at the time, this event is much more than music. And I say knowingly.

Rototom was kind enough to invite me to participate in forums and debates section. My role was simple, only had to present one of those who shine above the rest by their self-respect and firm belief in the equality of all human beings. I'm talking about Esteban Ibarra, president of the Movement Against Intolerance in Spain, who unveiled his latest book 'The Spain racist'. During that conversation I witnessed something amazing: the meeting of a group of people concerned about improving the world in which we live.