With every passing year, it seems as though more and more people are turning vegan. There are numerous reasons for this, not the least of which is the fact that animal welfare has become a much-discussed topic and it is enough to put people off eating animals. There is also the fact that climate change is believed to be influenced, at least in part, by the eating of meat. As a result, there is a drive for vegan-based events to be put on so that people can learn more about veganism and the already converted can enjoy it. That is where Guildford Vegan Fiesta & Village comes in.
What on Earth Are We Talking About?
Back in 2017, a company called Vegan Sparkle organised a Vegan Festival for Reading. It was so successful that they were contacted by numerous other towns and cities asking them to organise a similar thing for them. One of the towns in question was Guildford, who wanted to see a vegan event put on that would allow people to learn about veganism as a concept and discover the extent to which vegan food has changed and developed over the years. Where once it was seen as bland and tasteless, now vegan food promises so much more flavour and excitement.
The company is called Vegan Sparkle not because they are shiny and promise to make things more exciting, but because Sparkle is actually an acronym. It stands for the following:
- S – Supportive
- P – Promoted
- A – Atmospheric
- R – Reputable
- K – Knowledgeable
- L – Local
- E – Ethical
The Sparkle Vegan team is made up of Sarah, Jeanette, Nimisha and Jen, as well as countless volunteers like Jay, Manju, Louise, Stephen and Jasmine.
Fiesta & Village
The Vegan Sparkle team likes to use specific language to describe what’s happening. The terms are as follows:
- Market – Something that happens five or more times a year
- Fiesta – Something that happens a few times a year
- Festival – A big event that happens annually
- Village – Something that is part of another event
In other words, the people of Guildford can expect a number of different vegan-themed events hosted by Vegan Sparkle across the course of the year, with the main parts of it being based in the Village.
Where & What?
Knowing a little bit more about the company began the Vegan Fiesta & Village is one thing, but knowing where you need to go in order to enjoy it and what you should expect is something else entirely. The good news is that it could be easier to find, with the Vegan Village being set up on the Guildford High Street. All you need to do is head along to the area in order to see a host of different stalls on offer.
In terms of what it is, the answer is a little more complicated. That is because food is obviously put front and centre during the Vegan Fiesta, but it isn’t all that you’ll be able to enjoy when it’s happening. Alongside the likes of hot food, delicious cakes and tasty pastries, you will also be able to get yourself some eco-friendly gifts and natural skincare products. This is all about putting veganism in the mainstream, demonstrating how living a life as a vegan isn’t anywhere near as hard as some people might imagine it to be.
Is Veganism for Me?
If you are intrigued by the idea of the Vegan Fiesta taking place in the Vegan Village in Guildford, then you might well be asking yourself whether the very idea of veganism is really for you. The answer, of course, isn’t a straightforward one to give. Each person will have their own dealbreakers when it comes to turning vegan, with some people loving steak, others feeling like they need the nutrition that they get from fish, and many simply dreading the idea of living a life in which you aren’t allowed to eat proper cheese.
The beauty of the events put on by Vegan Sparkle is that they provide you with an opportunity to try a few different things without committing to anything. Vegan cheese has come on leaps and bounds in recent years, for example, whilst the replacement meat options are significantly better than they’ve ever been before. Finding out just how much of your life could become vegan without needing to commit to becoming one there and then is a solid way to make an informed decision rather than a panicked one. The fact that you can do so without even having to leave Guildford is ideal.
It’s About More Than Just Guildford
When we say ‘It’s about more than just Guildford’, we don’t mean solely in terms of where Vegan Sparkle’s events are being held. They are also held in other locations, with the likes of Basingstoke, Godalming and Reading also hosting similar Fiestas and Villages of their own. What we mean, though, is that the planet is burning and turning vegan is a good way to try to make a difference. There is vast deforestation and habitat destruction taking place in order to make room for animal agriculture, which is a cause of huge biodiversity damage.
You can use the events put on in Guildford by Vegan Sparkle to learn more about veganism and the help that you can do for the planet by stopping eating meat and using animal-based products. The Vegan Sparkle team aren’t there to lecture or pontificate but rather to do their best to help educate people about the overall benefits of veganism. The fact that they can do that whilst you also get to eat some delicious food and drink incredible drinks is all the better.