RIGA – KAZANTIP 2008

Tomorrow, on July 26th, will be the day, when the annual craziness erupts again in the Crimean village of Popovka, which becomes home to the 16th year of kaZantip for the period from 26 of July till the end of August. I’ve already been to Z Republic last year, and it impressed me so much, that this year I decided to go again, for the grand opening of the 16th year of the festival.

What is kaZantip? It is a month of 24 hour nonstop music on almost 10 dance floors. It is Z republic populated by Z citizens.  It is state within a state with its own constitution, the president, ministers, visas and (the guarding) angels. It is freedom. It is a lot of fun, sun, music, love and happiness, referred to as “ЩАСТЬЕ”. It is Russian Goa… No wait, it is much, much better than any club event you ever been to.

More information is here, alongside with the photos and videos from previous years of Kazantip.

The price of admission to the independent state have been growing steadily each year, and 2008 is not exception in this respect. This year it is rumored to be 100-120 EUR for a multivisa or some 70 EUR for a single entry. Compare this to 85 EUR a year before for a multivisa, and you see that popularity of Kazantip is growing, and lifting prices with it too. Moreover, it is not unusual for the price of viza to be some 50% higher for the opening and closing events, and this is going to affect me directly, since I am there for the opening. Prices for living there depend on the desired level of comfort, going from 5-10$ for the bed in the old village hut, all the way up to 60-100 EUR for a double with air conditioning. Food and drinks still cheap in Popovka, but inside the kaZantip area, they have already reached 10$ for a glass of Cola with traces of Red Label. It is not unusual to see some party goers bring a backpack with essentials, buy only a single entry visa and stay within confines of the “Z Republic that never sleeps” for days and even weeks. Meeting the sunrise on the shore among wasted dancers is acceptable, just remember that tents are not allowed.

My bags are packed. GPS and brains switched off. 3 day of ЩАСТЬЕ are waiting for me.