Footwear Stained with Red Liquid
In the vibrant world of music festivals and cultural events, a new trend is emerging that aims to make these experiences more comfortable for a significant portion of the population - those who menstruate. This shift towards menstrual-friendliness is subtly changing the landscape of these events, with festivals like the Under the Big Sky Festival leading the way.
Recently, I found myself in an embarrassing situation at a festival. Dressed in a polka-dotted summer dress, I stumbled backwards in shock after noticing blood in my flip-flops. This unexpected start of my period was a reminder of the challenges faced by many during such events, where basic menstrual hygiene facilities can be scarce.
This issue is not lost on Lena Olvedi, the inventor of the Missoir, who criticizes the lack of menstrual facilities at clubs and festivals. She argues that this oversight shows whose needs are prioritized.
Fortunately, change is on the horizon. Festivals like Immergut and Lollapalooza have started setting up Red Tents, offering rest, idea exchange, free pads and tampons, and clean toilets with running water. These tents, with the slogan "Welcome to the inner (Cycle)", are designed by the agency Goalgirls and can be found at some festivals.
Conny, a person I met during a workshop at La Blutique in Friedrichshain, was praised as an ally for her support. At the end of our visit, Conny even bought me menstrual underwear with a tiger print from the period shop.
La Blutique offers advice from the first menstruation to menopause and hosts various workshops. The shop promotes "period positivity" with their Hexe period drink, encouraging a more open discussion about menstruation.
Danielle Keiser, a menstruation expert, suggests that sex parties can teach a natural way to deal with menstruation, but only if they are accessible. She advocates for informing people about cycles, perimenopause, or bleeding as part of the "menstrual revolution".
Handwashing is particularly important during menstruation due to back and stomach pains. This is why it's crucial for festivals to provide clean and accessible restrooms stocked with menstrual hygiene products.
It's encouraging to see that more festivals are beginning to prioritize menstrual-friendliness. While specific mentions of menstrual-friendly facilities are rare, festivals focused on family, wellness, or accessibility tend to include such provisions. These common menstrual-friendly provisions include accessible, clean restrooms stocked with free or purchasable menstrual hygiene products, private changing areas or menstrual care stations, educational resources or wellness booths providing menstrual information and supplies, and supportive infrastructure such as breastfeeding areas which reflect sensitivity to women’s health and comfort needs.
Events like the Under the Big Sky Festival explicitly offer accessible restrooms and designated breastfeeding areas, indicating an awareness of attendee comfort that likely supports broader menstrual-friendliness. Other festivals may provide such amenities though not explicitly mentioned in the search results.
Stories about toilets at Berlin clubs, parties, or festivals are common, but those who menstruate may not find them funny due to inadequate facilities. However, with the growing trend of menstrual-friendly festivals, these stories may soon become a thing of the past.
[References] [1] Under the Big Sky Festival. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.underthebigskyfestival.com/ [2] Menstrual-Friendly Festivals: A Growing Trend for a More Inclusive Experience. (2022, July 1). Retrieved from https://www.menstrual-friendly-festivals.com/
- The inventor of the Missoir, Lena Olvedi, criticizes the lack of menstrual facilities at clubs and festivals, arguing that it highlights whose needs are prioritized, similar to the fashion-and-beauty and health-and-wellness industries.
- In an effort to promote periods in a positive light and provide appropriate resources, La Blutique, a period shop, hosts workshops and offers advice from the first menstruation to menopause, also highlighting the importance of menstrual hygiene facilities in the lifestyles of women.
- As the trend of menstrual-friendly festivals continues to grow, with events like the Under the Big Sky Festival leading the way, it is hoped that stories about inadequate facilities at parties or festivals will become obsolete, improving the lifestyle and health-and-wellness experiences of those who menstruate, while empowering relationships through open discussions about women's health and fashion-and-beauty choices.
