Illustrated Stories from Tønder Festival – Celebrating the Unsung Heroes

 

Since 2022, my partner Johnny and I have been working on a storytelling project at Tønder Festival – a series of illustrated stories capturing the heart and soul of the event through portraits and interviews with the many passionate individuals who bring the festival to life.

This isn’t just about the big musical acts or headliners. Our focus is on community – on all the festival heroes, not just the ones on stage. From the volunteers who clean the toilets and serve the beer, to the people who run cables to the stages, guard the camping areas, and help create the magic behind the scenes – these are the stories we want to tell.

Shining a light on the shared spirit
We’ve followed artists like Tami Neilson in the lead-up to her 2022 performance on the Open Air stage, but more often our lens has turned to the audience and volunteers – capturing the joyful atmosphere on the festival grounds and in the camping area.

The result is a visual reportage, shared as an ongoing series on Instagram (@lisareschefski). The drawings tell intimate, honest, and often humorous stories that shine a light on the shared spirit of the festival.

Book and/ or exhibition
Our dream is to eventually bring these illustrated stories together in a book or exhibition – maybe even showcased at the festival itself – so that those who are part of these stories can see themselves celebrated in this way.

It’s been an incredible journey, and we’re grateful to Tønder Festival for their support in helping us collect and share these meaningful glimpses into what truly makes this festival special: the people.

Read more about Tønder Festival here

Here are some examples of the stories so far.