Citizenship

Paradise City Festival operates a safer space policy.

Dear People of Paradise,

Paradise City is a shared space for kindness, creativity, music and enjoyment. Our goal at Paradise City Festival has always been to create a delightful and lovely experience for all attendees. We strive to contribute to a safer and more inclusive music scene. We use the term "safer" instead of "safe" intentionally, recognizing that it is nearly impossible to create a space where a diverse group of people gather without any risks. We cannot anticipate every situation or control every person's behavior but we acknowledge that it is our collective responsibility to prioritize and protect the well-being of festivalgoers, artists and crew members.

As you step into our festival, you become an active participant in ensuring a comfortable and respectful atmosphere for everyone. We believe that caring for each other’s safety is an essential part of being human. Help each other out and have respect and understanding for others and yourself.

Here are some key elements for positive vibes and essential guidelines. So please, take your time.

1. A zero-tolerance policy

We celebrate the uniqueness of our visitors and we aim to provide a space where everybody feels safe and accepted. Ensuring the wellbeing of everyone is our top priority. We know that many individuals have experienced situations that made them feel unsafe and uncomfortable. Therefore, we maintain a zero-tolerance policy towards harassment and any other form of intimidation. Acts of physical or psychological violence are strictly prohibited. We firmly condemn bullying, harassment, stealing or vandalizing. We do not tolerate any form of discrimination, including sexism, racism, ableism, homo- or transphobia, and any other form of bias. Safety is not a trend. It’s a fundamental human right.

If you ever feel unsafe, uncomfortable, unwell or encounter unwanted behaviour, please reach out to our Angels. Or inform security, bar staff or any staff members who will connect you with the Angels, our safety team. The Angels of Paradise can be recognized by their pink vests and they will be present throughout the festival. These are well-informed people who are aware of our policies and procedures. They - and we -are here to offer you help and to assist you to the best of our abilities. Any breach of these rules or discriminatory behaviour will result in exclusion from the festival.

2. Boundaries and personal space

Take into account your own boundaries. Be mindful of the energy you bring with you. We kindly ask everyone to respect personal space while dancing. It is crucial to respect individual boundaries and to act accordingly to the principle of consent. Only a clear and enthusiastic “yes” means “yes”. So please, ask for consent.

Furthermore, we expect all festivalgoers to respect the sexualities, identities and bodies of those around you. The space belongs to everyone. Do not make any discriminatory or inappropriate comment regarding somebody’s appearance, gender expression, sexuality, religious expression, disability and/or ethnicity. At Paradise City, we welcome people as they are. Everyone has the right to enjoy music, it is as simple as that. Respecting everyone’s body and consent is the key to ensuring a positive and enjoyable festival-experience for all.

3. Drugs

Consumption of drugs is prohibited on our premises. Even more, anyone found to be drugging someone else without their knowledge will be reported to the authorities.

Be aware of the behavioural consequences when using substances (alcohol is also a drug!). Stay hydrated 😇. We encourage you to party safely. Know your limits and know your body. Preserve your physical, emotional and psychological health. When in doubt, go easy on yourself, and don’t forget to look after your friends.

You and you alone should have a say in what you consume. Peer pressure is challenging to overcome, but recognising everyone has their own way of partying is essential. Please, don’t be ashamed to be sober, but also, don’t hesitate to ask for help.

4. Protect your ears

Even with limited decibels, it's important to protect your ears. If you need earplugs designed for concerts and festivals, our partner BLOX offers the perfect solution. Their Music Model features a specially designed acoustic filter that preserves authentic sound while protecting your hearing. You can purchase these at the Merchandising stand. Plus, enjoy a 15% discount on the entire range at the BLOX e-shop using the promo code ENJOYPC24, valid until June 25, 2024. Visit www.bloxearplugs.com.

Free foam earplugs are also available at the Info stand. Please dispose of them properly in the bin. New this year: BLOX will set up a collection point at the Info Stand for used foam earplugs, which will be recycled into components for street furniture, like benches and tables.

5. Our green policy

We work tirelessly to ensure our festival can take place in our beautiful location. The only way we keep it that way is with your cooperation. Please consider the environment when enjoying the festival. Be mindful about your waste.

Use the portable ashtrays we provide or keep your cigarette butts in your pocket for disposal. If you don’t have any ashtray, ask a friend, a stranger or locate a nearby bin for a proper disposal. Remember, the same principle applies to all forms of litter - always place them in a bin.

Use the toilets, that’s what they’re there for. And take care of your waste on the campsite!

You can always learn more about our green goals and measures to make sure we minimize our impact here.

6. The Angels of Paradise

If you encounter any issues or have questions, our team of volunteers, known as the Angels of Paradise, can be easily identified by their pink vests. They will happily give a helping hand and will kindly guide you throughout the festival. This team has been trained to handle difficult situations and will help you get back to safety. You can go to them with any issue you have, big or small.

If someone is not feeling well or in need of assistance, please prioritize helping the victim and immediately inform one of our Angels. There will be a Healing Room on site as well as a first-aid post. Be an active bystander ✊.

Looking out for friends and others extends beyond the festival grounds. Make sure to keep an eye out while travelling home!

It also goes beyond the festival journey. Any incidents can also be reported after the festival to our confidential email: tellus@paradisecity.be. Please email us if anything occurred during the festival that we should be made aware of.

Remember, be kind to each other, enjoy the music and dance till you drop ! See you on the dancefloor.

Our guidelines for a safe Paradise City.