Anacã – Arte, Cultura e Sustentabilidade festival, a celebrated fixture in São Paulo’s festival calendar since 2016, was abruptly halted by a catastrophic fire on its opening night. Scheduled from August 23 to 25, this year’s edition was set to showcase a stellar lineup of international psytrance artists including Mirror Me, Dattatreya, Kinetik Flux, Tromo, Antonymous, and Quadraphonic.
The festival, known for its high-quality production and beautiful location, was marred by a blaze that erupted amidst São Paulo’s severe wildfire crisis. The region, already grappling with intense fires, has reported two fatalities and placed over 30 cities on high alert. The fires have overwhelmed local emergency services, complicating efforts to control the blaze.
The fire at the festival grounds spread rapidly, fueled by the extreme heat and dry conditions exacerbated by the surrounding wildfires. Despite the festival having all necessary permits and adhering to safety regulations, the unforeseen intensity of the fire forced a swift evacuation of attendees and staff.
Emergency services acted promptly to ensure the safety of all individuals on site. However, significant damage to the festival infrastructure and sound system has been reported, leaving the future of the event in question.
Local officials and festival organizers are working together to address the situation. The festival’s organizers are cooperating with the investigation and are committed to providing support to those affected.
As São Paulo continues to face this unprecedented wildfire crisis, the Anacã festival’s abrupt end serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by large-scale events in times of natural disaster.
