Following the success of last summer's Victor Jara festival in Machynlleth, El Sueno Existe (“the dream lives on”) staged a winter festival entitled “Nicaragua: New Time, New Hope”, inspired by the visit to Machynlleth of veteran activist and visionary Paul Baker Hernandez.
Paul is a former Trappist monk who has lived and worked in Nicaragua for a number of years and is active in local and international campaigns against war, exploitation and the plunder of Nicaragua's natural wealth.
He is also a wonderful musician and during the festival performed Nicaraguan folk songs as well as hilarious self-penned gems such as The Starbucks Song.
Ben Gregory from Wales Nicaragua Solidarity Campaign presented a fascinating report on the Zero Hunger flagship project of the Sandinista government and there were excellent performances by Cor Gobaith, accordionist Flakito from New Zealand and local band Cloud Cuckoo.
A great time was had by all and the event raised over 400 pounds, some of which was sent to the La Chureca appeal, which supports people living on Managua's rubbish tip.