Helena Koppejan - Her Glastonbury Experience as told by Barry Taylor.
The Founder of The Glastonbury Experience Courtyard. (PDF)

THE ISLE OF AVALON FOUNDATION PROUDLY HOSTED THE VISIT OF THE WORLD DRUM PROJECT ON FRIDAY 12TH SEPTMBER 2008

The World Drum Project started in October 2006 following a vision from Norwegian Shaman Whitecougar. Sami medicine man and drum maker, Birger Mikkelsen and Morten Wolf Storeide built this amazing drum as a wake up call to the world against lethargy and indifference towards Mother Earth. [The Sami are the indigenous people of Northern Europe]. The mission is to take the Drum around the world to unite all humankind to find peace between us and Mother Nature. The World Drum has already visited Europe, New Zealand Canada and the US and is now coming back to Europe via Glastonbury.

The World Drum is a symbol of the circle of life and a reminder that we are all connected and through this powerful connection it is possible to effect change for good.

The aim of the Isle of Avalon Foundation was to bring as many people together at Glastonbury Town Hall on the evening of Friday 12th September 2008 from 7pm-9pm. Each participant brings attention to the critical situation for Mother Earth and will have the opportunity to handle the Drum and be part of its journey.

Here is a report from Vanessa Allen one of the participants:

World drum comes to Glastonbury

Friday 12th September and the World Drum returned to Glastonbury Town Hall. The Isle of Avalon Foundation hosted a gathering of pilgrims from Somerset and beyond, all eager to make the drum’s acquaintance and experience it’s healing.

After short introductions to the drum by Howard and Elsa Malpas and Alan Davis, Elsa guided us through a visualisation/Journey to visit the spirit of the drum as Howard played it. We had the opportunity to share our visions with each other.

The beat of the drum gave connection to Mother Earth, healing of emotions - healing of water.

A menagerie of power animals came forward, Stag, Green and Red Woodpecker, White Wolf, Butterfly, Felines, Snake.

Presence of ancestors.

“It’s all about the water - 3000 year cycle, climate change.

Clearing our blood.

“It’s about my dance of life”.

Deep mournful sound, the dance transmuting sadness into joy.

Connection to the web of life

Drum spinning around a black, fragmented earth, transforming it.

The drum seen as various images - stars, winged, conjuring up images such as blue, healing sphere of balance, rainbow, centre of the earth as a pink heart, ancient Yew tree, an upturned tree at the edge of the world, with quartz crystals at its root.

And individual blessings to be shared…

“Tell the people the knowledge that they hold in their hearts is the key that belongs to universal peace. When every one of us turns their key in the lock - all doors will fly open and each and every one will know the magnificence of their own nature, the nature of this precious and beautiful earth and the urgency of our coming together in the Spirit of Community to create harmony. The sacred heart-beat of one”.

“Saw a Native American - spoke of peace. And more Peace.

Is there anything else? There is nothing else.”

“a cuddly, ferocious physical experience.” Physical, emotional, powerful.

”Thank you for this honour and blessing. May the world and the universe be healed and whole. All connected with spirit in unconditional love.”

After our sharing (and the above is just the essence of what was brought to circle), each of us had the opportunity to be with the drum - play it, hold it, sit with it, dance or sing with it… whilst other drums and rattles were gently played in the background to sustain the drum and the drummer.

All reported a wonderful experience of connection with the drum and it’s essence.

And so, the circle was closed, the drum carefully repacked and taken away by Howard and Elsa to prepare for it’s next journey.

Vanessa Allen

13th September 2008.

Wells, Somerset, UK

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE PHOTOS TAKEN THAT EVENING