‘Hallowed ground’ – Glastonbury festival, a haven from a divided world

Glastonbury, UK – Amid the sound of a resounding bass from The Levels and guitars from The Pyramid, there is a palpable sense of community in the air at Glastonbury – home to the United Kingdom’s biggest music festival. Since it began more than 50 years ago, it has become a major fixture for the British summer time, attracting some 200,000 people this year.

As Britons head towards a general election following 14 years of a Conservative government later this week, Glastonbury is a haven for those feeling less than cheerful about life in the UK.

“Everything’s wrecked, basically,” festivalgoer Lewis John tells Al Jazeera as he relaxes at the camp he has pitched in the Silver Hayes dedicated art space, where he is a crew member. “I mean, we’ve had 14 years of the same thing. Public services stripped down to bare bones for the sake of profit and privatisation is a complete joke.”

His most pressing concern is the cost of living. “Some new housing would be good, an actual affordable mortgage,” he says. “So, I’m 23. And I pretty much know that I’m never gonna own a house.”

For now, he doesn’t have to worry about all that. Glastonbury, with its music, arts, visual installations, lighting and design is an immersive experience which offers some diversion from the real world – if only for a few days. People here say it gives them a bit of hope for a better, more artistic and more harmonious way of life.