Jondachi Fest 15-18 January 2015 (Ecuador)
The Jondachi River, a pristine tributary of the Amazon, is threatened by imminent hydro development. The Jondachi is slated to be dammed in January 2015.
Jondachi Fest 2015 is an impassioned and urgent international expression of solidarity — a grass-roots river festival and elite whitewater competition in support of the iconic FREE-FLOWING Jondachi River.
The objectives of the event are to:
– thwart dam construction;
– show the Ecuadorian government that the free-flowing Jondachi is a viable economic resource alternative to hydro development;
– and bring local and international river communities together to reconnect with this river.
JONDACHI FEST 15-18 JANUARY 2015 TENA, NAPO, ECUADOR
JONDACHI FEST is an urgent collaborative effort to bring local people, members of the international paddling community, and Ecuadorian decision-makers together in a demonstration of the value of the free-flowing Jondachi.
Jondachi Fest will support the Ecuadorian Rivers Institute in its pursuit of the precedent-setting designation of the proposed Jondachi-Hollin-Misahualli-Napo Ecological Corridor (essentially the international equivalent of « wild and scenic river » designation — the first-ever endeavor of its kind in Ecuador).
Jondachi Fest aims to get local people and international visitors into the Jondachi River corridor during the 3-day span of the festival. An elite class V kayaking competition on the Upper Jondachi River will kick off the event on Friday, January 16. In the two days that follow, hiking, trekking, and caving excursions will be led by representatives of local indigenous communities. Indigenous storytellers, musicians, and artists from local river communities will share their work in public celebration of the river in the Tena waterfront park. Jondachi Fest will also facilitate guided kayaking and rafting trips for Ecuadorians from across all social strata. Local activists and leaders will present educational, environmental, and artistic workshops and seminars throughout the festival. At night, on the Tena town waterfront, we will project photos and video from the Jondachi River and celebrate the river with class V dance parties!
Jondachi Fest invites solid class V kayakers to register immediately for the elit-class Upper Jondachi Race!
JONDACHI FEST IS IN IMMEDIATE NEED OF:
timers, safety kayakers, and logistical support for the Upper Jondachi Race!
volunteers both on and off the river!
photographers and videographers with class V kayaking skills!
DJs who are fired up to spin good beats in the jungle!
TO REGISTER FOR THE UPPER JONDACHI RACE, ENGAGE AS A VOLUNTEER, OR LEARN HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT JONDACHI FEST FROM AFAR, PLEASE EMAIL: jondachifest@ecuadorianrivers.org
www.ecuadorianrivers.org/jondachi-fest