Finnish band Ancara and sign rapper Signmark, as well as Olli Hartonen, the voice for Signmark, left for Nepal, Mount Everest, on Sunday, November first to play the world’s highest gig. Moomin Characters Oy Ltd. is supporting the journey and this gig is likely to be a new Guinness world record played at approximately 5000 meters altitude.
The gig will be streamed around the world and it is not only about making a record but to help earthquake-ravaged Nepal. The main purpose of the project is to build a new music school in Nepal to replace the destroyed one. The school will be named Rockin’ High.
“With the participation of the sign language rap artist Signmark we also want to influence people’s attitudes towards differences. For example in Nepal equal human rights are not so self-evident as we have in Finland,” Olli Hartonen says.
The group has already reached the Phakding village and today the journey continues 800 meters higher. Olli carries Moominpappa plush toy in his backpack’s pocket and it has gained a lot of attention among the children in the mountain villages. One little girl run after Olli shouting “Moominpappa!”.
We follow the journey on a weekly basis also at moomin.com but you will find the latest news from Signmark’s and Rockin’ High’s Facebook pages.
Good luck with the trip!
“Did you know that if you fly hundreds and hundreds of miles up into the air that the sky is no longer blue?”
Moomintroll
EDIT 5.11.2015:
The whole Rockin’ High crew is well and of course super excited about seeing the world and these amazing views! Children in the city of Namche Bazar (3440 m altitude) in Nepal are in love with Moominpappa!
EDIT 9.11.2015:
The Rockin’ High crew with Moominpappa have now reached the Dingboche at about 4500 meters altitude! They trekked there via Tengboche and Pangboche and along the way, they saw traces of earthquakes. The villages are now under construction and the Rockin’ High crew’s guide had told that tourism has decreased by 70% after the earthquakes but little by little has started to rise again.
At the altitude of 4500 meters, you can see a number of different peaks in all directions and the views are truly beautiful.
The journey towards Base Camp continues today and currently, it is planned that the gig will be on November 15th-16th.
EDIT 17.11.2015:
Part of the group made it to the Mount Everest Base Camp on 12th November. An acoustic gig was played there at an altitude of 5364 meters and because some of the members had to stay at Dingboche, the main gig was played at Dingboche and not at Base Camp as planned.
Although the gig was “only” played at an altitude of 4530 meters, it is likely to be the world’s highest concert ever played and it will get the Guinness World Record status later on!
Congratulations Ancara, sign rapper Signmark, as well as Olli Hartonen for this amazing achievement! Moominpappa seems to have been enjoying his trip with you!