Summer is here, the sun is shining, it is a good time to be alive (except in the blistering heat where you can barely breathe), and above all, music. Music festivals take flight at the beginning of May, making us thankful to be alive. There’s no better place to be than breathing the fresh air, the sun kissing your face, and music leading you to a blissful place. But there’s one thing that can just demolish all the things that I have just mentioned – being short in a Dutch music festival.

What does this have to do with anything, you might ask? Well let me tell you. I am short. Like barely 5 feet tall. And I have Dutch friends, so I go to party a lot in the Netherlands. Where’s the problem, you might ask? Well the Dutch are one of the tallest people in the world. So, are you starting to get what I’m trying to tell you?

I have just been to one of these music festivals, called Komm Schon Alter. One of the best parties I’ve ever been to. It took me a while to get there, all the way from Malta. Being my second year going there, it was definitely worth going. The people and the vibe make it all so much worth it, that you forget all the planes, trains, car rides that you had to take to get to this Amsterdam park. But also, these same people have made me think a little bit during this day. So here it goes – a tiny little note for the Dutch, and all the other tall people in the world attending a music festival, from a tiny little person.

I came here because I love the music. I knew before coming here, that I won’t be able to see much, but I still decided to come. So don’t feel guilty for standing in front of me. That is seriously sweet, but I get it that there are other tall people in front of you. Unless you all unanimously decide that I can stand at the front, then it’s okay. I can stay behind you, just give me the space I need to breathe and I’ll be good.

Don’t pity me, give me special treatment, or treat me like a child. I know that I am short, but I am probably older than you. I got this, been living like this all my life. So don’t feel sorry for me. Seriously, you don’t have to.

Don’t bump into me. Look down for a minute. Don’t get lost in your world up there. Look down – yes there’s a person down there. Hi! I really appreciate if you can just walk past me and not bump into me, and pretend that I move for you.

And a little note for us tiny people:

You are there for the music, and the vibe – just enjoy it! Close your eyes and feel the music. I know that you might get bumped into a lot, get beer spilled all over you, you don’t see anything, getting out of the crowd is almost impossible as people don’t see you. But embrace it, this is who we are, so we might as well enjoy the ride. At the end of the day, we go there to enjoy it. So just do. Don’t think about anything else. It’s just us and the music. Have fun!

Having said all of this, going to music festivals is always one of the best experiences in life. Having people meet up from different backgrounds (and different sizes!), and enjoying the music together has always been something that intrigues me. Music is a universal language of love. And my small struggles are basically insignificant when you are connected to so many people who are feeling the same love and peace.

So yes, I will definitely continue going to these music festivals, albeit my struggles. Because struggles make life worth living. And so do all the emotions that you get from the music!

“Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.” – Plato

Photos credit: Juan