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Woodstock co-founder Michael Lang promised that his 50th anniversary festival would take place, despite the fact that the event's funder had announced its cancellation yesterday. Lang has sent an information letter to people who have registered to receive the latest news on the festival today, in which he announced that he would find a way to make it work. He promised to continue his work with the state of New York, Schuyler County (home to the festival site, Watkins Glen International) and "various parties" for things to move.
"We have not yet understood why [financer Dentsu-Aegis] would try to prevent the festival from happening by apparently sapping us that way, "he wrote. "It's one thing to decide for yourself that it's better to go forward, but it's a different thing to try to shut the door on us. Woodstock has never belonged to Dentsu, so they do not have the right to cancel it. "
A Dentsu representative declined to comment on Lang's newsletter.
Yesterday, Dentsu issued a statement stating that the Woodstock 50 "can be organized as a worthy event for the Woodstock brand while ensuring the health and safety of artists, partners and visitors." cancel the festival. "We think it's the most cautious decision for all parties involved."
Lang's partners, Woodstock's 50 partners, fought back last night with a statement affirming his decision to go forward. "We are committed to ensuring that the 50th anniversary of Woodstock is marked by a festival that deserves its iconic name and its place in American history and culture," the organizers said. "Although our financial partner is withdrawing, we will of course continue to plan the festival and intend to call on new partners. We would like to thank New York State and Schuyler County for their hard work and support. In the end, there will be a 50th anniversary festival in Woodstock, as it should, and it will be an explosion. "
Despite the optimism, the festival has not yet sold tickets. They were originally scheduled to be available on April 22, but were retained. It has not yet announced a new date of sale.
"Woodstock belongs to the people and he will always do it," Lang wrote. "We do not give up and Woodstock 50 will take place and will be a blast!"
Read Michael Lang's full statement:
Dear Woodstock friends
It seems in a way that history repeats itself. In July 1969, we lost our site in Walkill and, with only a month to go, we managed to move to Bethel. Woodstock was going to arrive whatever happened!
This time, the new hometown of Woodstock, Dix & Watkins Glen, New York and New York State have been truly wonderful. I went door to door to talk to neighbors. Some remembered Summer Jam in 1973 and feared the story would be repeated. But they opened their doors and we talked about it. Many of these people have sent messages of hope and encouragement in the last 24 hours.
The site, Watkins Glen International, was totally positive and professional.
Yesterday, our financial partner, Dentsu-Aegis, decided to withdraw and informed us that he was canceling the festival at the same time as he was letting the press release become public.
We have not yet understood why they would try to prevent the festival from happening by seeming to undermine us in this way. It's one thing to decide for oneself that it's best to go forward, but trying to shut the door on us is another thing.
Yesterday, I could not help reliving that moment of 50 years ago – it was "already seen again"!
Supporting the principles of activism and sustainability is too important for short-sighted partners to derail it.
We are continuing our work with NYS, Schuyler County and various parties to keep things on track.
Woodstock has never belonged to Dentsu, so they do not have the right to cancel it.
Woodstock belongs to the people and he will always do it.
We do not give up and Woodstock 50 will take place and will be a blast!
Thanks for listening, Michael
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