Selvámonos: the successful festival outside Lima that turns 15, these are its future plans

The sound of the jungle, in perfect harmony with the musical chords, has been the distinctive signature of the festival Let’s save ourselves since its conception 15 years ago. What began as an idea among friends, driven by the vision of Frenchman Lionel Igersheim, evolved into one of the country’s most prominent cultural events.

The Selvámonos festival was born in 2009 in the picturesque town of Oxapampa, in the jungle of the Pasco region. With an initial proposal of electronic music, he soon realized the need to adapt to local tastes. “No one was that interested in that musical genre around here when we created this festival, so we expanded to more interesting proposals for Peruvians”recalls in an interview with El Comercio, José Rodríguez, one of the producers of the event.

Thus, the festival embraced a diversity of styles, becoming a melting pot of sounds that attract audiences from all over the country and beyond. This diversity is reflected in the guests who participate in all editions, who integrate harmoniously with the environment. Among the artists who have participated are Cuarteto de Nos, Villa Cariño, Celso Piña, Los Tetas, Juana Fe, Chico Trujillo, Onda Vaga, Niño Cohete, Mar de Copas, Amen, Lucho Quequezana, Bareto, François Peglau, Cumbia All Stars , Olaya Sound System, Dengue Dengue Dengue, among others.

Beginning of Selvamonos

In its first editions, Selvámonos faced significant challenges before being able to have its first edition in 2009. The lack of infrastructure in the region made access to the festival difficult, while convincing sponsors and artists of the viability of the event required an extraordinary effort to part of the organizing team. “In those days the paved road didn’t even reach the festival, you had to go through a long stretch, not to mention the long hours of travel, the complicated logistics and the most difficult thing, convincing the sponsors to be encouraged to bet on us”mentions Rodríguez.

Since its beginnings, the following editions of Selvámonos have grown in scope and ambition, welcoming more people who travel for hours to enjoy an interesting lineup. “We had twelve hundred people in our first edition, something great considering the place where it was”shares Rodríguez. “But to stay on our feet during all this time, the help of the public was essential, word of mouth, in addition to the love we give to this great project every year”he adds.

Starting with the idea of ​​establishing a festival in an environment that would give a new aesthetic to the concerts, Selvámonos changed its objectives, now consolidating a clear goal: “Decentralize the national cultural offer and promote tourism development in the jungle”a phrase that is already the motto of the festival, attracting thousands of people from all over the country, even foreign audiences.

How to choose the Selvámonos line up? Selecting the Selvámonos line up is a challenge due to its diverse audience, which mainly includes people from Lima, followed by Oxapaminos and then foreigners and people from different parts of the country. “For the line up we select the headliners directly, we look for local artists, from the interior of the country and then we look at other international artists. “We want people to meet new artists but also be able to enjoy established singers.”explains Rodríguez.

The other Let’s selvamos

Selvámonos is much more than just a sound experience. It covers the promotion of culture and environmental awareness. The festival offers a variety of non-musical events that enrich the experience of attendees and strengthen community ties.

During Cultural Week, which precedes the weekend of concerts, Oxapampa metamorphoses into an epicenter of cultural and educational activities. From art exhibitions to composting workshops, this week provides a window into the cultural and natural wealth of the region, attracting both the local community and visitors to immerse themselves in a universe of learning and entertainment.

Additionally, this festival takes music to the streets with its “Music on the Street” event, where local and national artists perform in intimate and accessible environments. This initiative not only amplifies the festival’s musical offerings, but also encourages community participation and social interaction. “It is a complete experience, the festival begins before it formally begins, it is something very big and pleasant to see in all its magnitude”mentions Rodríguez

On the other hand, environmental awareness is another fundamental pillar of Selvámonos. Through workshops and talks, the festival educates and raises awareness among the community on topics such as biodiversity conservation and sustainability, thus reflecting its commitment to protecting the environment and promoting sustainable practices. Additionally, visual arts and performance complement the festival’s musical experience, adding depth and diversity to the event program. Contemporary art exhibitions and live performances enrich the experience of attendees, offering a multidimensional perspective on human creativity.

The future of the festival

Aiming to further decentralize the festivals and expand their reach, Selvámonos also offers the “Primera Parada,” a scaled-down version of the event held in Lima before the main festival in Oxapampa. This year, the lineup will include international artists such as El Mató un Police Motorizado, Vicente García and Cardellino, along with national talents from various musical genres. “The first stop began in 2014 with the idea of ​​bringing this experience here, so that people can try this festival that takes place in Oxapampa as a starter. It is more like an invitation prior to the event that does not seek to replace the great festival,” Rodríguez emphasizes.

In addition, Selvámonos also offers the Electro Selvámonos experience, where solar panels are installed that provide energy to the domes and cell phone charging areas, thus continuing to care for the environment. After the party, attendees can participate in yoga, breathing, meditation, relaxation and biomagnetism classes, near the coast of Paracas in Ica.

As for the future of this event that takes place during the long mid-year holiday, the team behind the event has big plans. “We want to make a bigger festival, perhaps for more days, but that maintains this essence,” it states. The challenge lies in maintaining the community spirit and environmental awareness while the festival continues to grow. With the success and experience accumulated in 15 years, Selvámonos is also preparing to take its message and its music beyond national borders. “We have to wait to fully consolidate this proposal before we venture to do more things. For now, we can enjoy the rhythm of the jungle”, he concludes.