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Kazantip Calling

The world's longest festival opens its doors

The Kazantip Republic should not logically exist.  The fact that the nation claims to not exist, yet also boasts a President, government, citizens and laws further complicates the matter.

What is Kazantip exactly?  It’s a round-the-clock beachside festival running from 31st July to 21st August that offers six dancefloors, thirty bars, two open air crimea halls, three kite stations for windsurfing, as well as mind-blowing figures, both human and architectural, for festival-goers to ogle.  Sven Väth describes it as, ‘a festival site that reminds me of the props for a Mad Max movie, but much more colourful and friendly.’

Basically, think Burning Man, but on crack.

Headliners this year include: Carl Cox, Ricardo Villalobos, M.A.N.D.Y., Josh Wink, Stanton Warriors, Loco Dice, Marco Carola, Hybrid, Joel Mull, Meat Katie, Guy Gerber, Raresh, Freestylers, Fergie (the DJ, not the Black Eyed Pea), Joel Xavier, plus loads of other acts since they’ve got a whole three weeks to fill with music.

In closing, if you only have five hundred and four hours carved out of your schedule to spend at a once-in-a-lifetime experience of a festival that may or may not also function as a sovereign body, do yourself a favour and make a pilgrimage to the Kazantip Republic.  If you don’t believe us, take it from Armin Van Buuren, who offered the festival his stamp of approval, saying, ‘you have to see this!  Amazing!!’

Tickets (or ‘Visas to the Kazantip Republic’) go on sale soon.  Official opening is 31st July 2010, but rumours are floating around that it unofficially opens a week earlier than that.  Price TBA.  Hotel accommodations nearby, but with round-the-clock music, who needs sleep?  Website is here (good luck, it’s in Russian), a more complete line up is here, and the fest’s LiveJournal is here.

Oh, and it goes without saying that this one is clothing optional, kids.