Women at the Front at Electric Picnic 2025

Hello dear ones,

It feels like forever since I last wrote to you, since I last let my fingers pour out onto the keyboard everything I’ve been carrying within me. That keyboard which, at times, feels like a musical instrument, because the words leap forth full of energy, magic, and vibration.

Once again, I crossed the English Channel to the Celtic lands, which feel like a warm embrace of home. There, my love for that sacred and blessed land blends with hearts full of poetry, art, and openness; where celebration overflows with the last fiery rays of a sun that is not the midnight sun, yet when the night dresses itself in a black, starry cloak, the body shivers, and the bones ask to dance to the rhythm of that celestial blanket.

This time, I was accompanied by two powerful women, chosen with the heart. My intuition guided me, and indeed, we formed a formidable trio: from different lands, diverse professions, yet united by the fervor to create, to collaborate, and to live an adventure alongside this wandering soul that recharges batteries for an entire army.

The first leg of the journey I shared with loving Paula, a São Miguel-born Azorean, astrologer, entrepreneur, and future psychologist. She came to Vila Franca de Xira to help me load what seemed like 300 kilos of props — only we know how we managed to fit it all in the car. We named that machine Gregorio, and he carried us gently throughout the entire journey.

Our first stop was in beautiful Salamanca, where we discovered medieval corners, browsed through ancient books, and admired the walls of the University. We even came across a taxi driver who, while maneuvering a curve, was simultaneously playing the flute. A local custom, perhaps? We lunched on sandwiches in the market, beneath its stained-glass windows and peaceful rhythm, and then carried on to our next destination.

We arrived calmly at the ferry and our cabin, our threshold of rest, with a “digital window” showing a Sicilian landscape that made us laugh endlessly. Paula is also a DJ, and together we formed the duo Clube Sentimental. During those 30 hours at sea, between sleep, sea gazing, snacks, and organizing our set, we crafted two sessions rooted in tropical, African, and other world sounds, gradually moving toward techno, batucada, and psychedelic cumbia, making all souls visiting CASA DI VALENTINA jump with joy.

Upon arrival, we were welcomed by the queen, Jan Blanco — singer, music producer, sovereign of the night with her rogue sets and heavy artillery that allow no rest. She helped me this year with the entire three-day lineup: around 18 hours of music with local and international artists.

My space is a celebration of the mystical, the invisible, the hypnotic and fervent rhythms: from tropical sounds to the underground scenes of deep house, techno, and all the warm, industrial-tinged hybrids that can converge in a set.

The third member of our trio was Evita, a formidable soul, with a warm and powerful heart overflowing with creativity. Tall, radiant, and full of presence, she is a designer, illustrator, carpenter, cook, and future coach. Always ready for action and full of excitement, she joined us to continue the adventure. 

Together we headed straight to Stradbally, to the field. Construction was uphill, and the whole place was already buzzing. One week before the festival and you could already feel the intensity of a massive production preparing to welcome 100,000 people.

The pace of that week was demanding: little by little, the titanic effort required to host such a multitude revealed itself. There I found two fabulous beings whom I deeply cherish, admire, and love: Roz and Hugo Jellett, captains of the game, pioneers in festival production, whose creativity, knowledge, and execution power are astonishing.

The team Roz and Hugo gathered was made up of the most adorable and dedicated characters. A sense of community and absolute collaboration reigned: even amidst overwork, there was always a helping hand. Some names: Michelle, craft virtuoso; Yoel, master of electricity and structures; Fergus, head of security and build; Chris and Shane, carpenters, all talented artists; Lu and Duncan, former owners of Ukiyu, one of Dublin’s most contemporary Japanese cuisine and electronic music bars, who spoiled us with exquisite drinks backstage at Providencia; and Grace, a dear Australian who coordinated the neighboring tent event.

I could name many more, but suffice it to say everyone was incredible , and working alongside them was a true privilege.

Our setup took about a week. Casa di Valentina and the new shop Las Hechiceras became an invitation into the eclectic mysticism of the arts and hidden crafts, where music, dance, astrological readings, and magical objects gave a shamanic, enchanted flavor to the village.

We were joined by the beloved Guacha Mágica, Florencia Ríos, a contemporary witch, mixologist, boxer, tarot reader, and master of hospitality, whose insight and Latin warmth brought a phenomenal touch.

Our neighbors were a group of young dictators wanting to colonize the village, with endless speeches and nocturnal parties. Their biggest rivals were the liberals, with a Zapatista flair, broadcasting propaganda on a radio full of rhythms of el Pueblo.

And of course, Forró Ireland was there: Brazilian brothers who, with their dances and endless joy, make anyone feel they’re in Pernambuco, Bahia, or the sertão.

We also had the participation of my Brazilian friends, who delighted us with their lambe-lambe visual art, a glue-poster technique that turns walls into visual poetry. Their works dialogued with the underground scene while also showcasing art from Brazilian, Chilean, and Venezuelan artists.

My installations on the Providencia stage included marine mobiles, vaporous and floating, accompanying the tropicalism of the set design. I also presented audiovisual works, with exceptional co-direction from the technical music team, VJs, and lighting crew.

This year, we collaborated with a group of fantastic dancers who energized the DJ sets on that stage: their synergy was electric and contagious. Plus, my great Swiss friends, La Revuelta Orquestra, returned once more. Each year their show grows: this ensemble of Latin and European souls can cheer even the saddest heart with their cumbia rhythms.

Casa di Valentina pulsed with a myriad of electrifying acts and rhythms from all over the world. It still amazes me how many people can fit inside a tent of that size. To all the artists who shared their magic, their care, and their energy .

I am deeply grateful. Gracias!!

The four intense days of the festival were an overflowing celebration of life, joy, and art. It is moving to witness that sea of people with such energy, capable of enduring entire days in a party that only stops for a couple of hours before continuing again.

Between astonishing installations — a train car transformed into a DJ bar, a bunker, immersive experiences, talks, conferences, cooking shows, traditional Irish bands fused with electronic music, and of course, the big names on the main stage — it is a privilege to cross paths with so many souls, to share a dance, a conversation, a hello and a goodbye.

And so, when the time to leave finally came, with tired but satisfied faces, came the hugs and the first plans for new creations next year. The heart and soul depart full; the body, however, asks for rest and a good bed.

I say goodbye by sharing with you these experiences that make me grateful for how fortunate I feel to be part of this complex and joyful project. It has now been five years in this adventure.

A warm embrace.