Roskilde Charity Raises Euro 2.3M

Five days after urging its fans to take to the streets dressed as beggars in a bid to raise awareness of the poor and homeless, Roskilde Festival announced last year’s event raised euro 2.3 million for charity.

The laws regarding VAT exemption for charities mean the money must be disposed of before this year’s Roskilde.

“Our 28,000 volunteers have made a completely indescribable effort to put together a great festival. It’s because of them that Roskilde Festival exists and that we can now donate this much money to charity,” said Roskilde Festival Charity Society chief Steen Jørgensen.

Every year since the early ’70s the Danish festival has given its profits to humanitarian projects. In September it gave 1 million Danish kroner (then $172,000) to help flood victims in southern Pakistan.

On March 24 it launched its “People Of The Street” campaign, which involved fans dressing as beggars in six cities across Denmark, Norway, England and Germany.

This year’s Roskilde Festival is June 30 to July 3. The lineup includes Kings Of Leon, Iron Maiden, Beatsteaks, Mastodon and PJ Harvey.