Music festivals at historic landmarks raise questions over heritage protection

Dhaka: Historic castles, archaeological parks and ancient monuments are increasingly becoming venues for electronic music festivals, creating spectacular experiences for audiences while raising concerns about the long-term preservation of cultural heritage.

From London’s Old Royal Naval College to Egypt’s Great Pyramids of Giza, organizers are bringing contemporary music into historically significant settings. The trend has gained momentum in recent years, with architecture, history and distinctive landscapes becoming major attractions alongside internationally known performers.

The Old Royal Naval College in southeast London, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a history spanning more than three centuries, recently hosted Labyrinth on the Thames, featuring DJ Peggy Gou. Similar events have taken place at Germany’s Zollverein industrial complex, Croatia’s Pula Arena, Hungary’s Buda Castle and Italy’s Parco Archeologico di Segesta.

For organizers, these venues offer more than an unusual backdrop. They provide an opportunity to introduce historical sites to younger audiences and connect cultural heritage with contemporary entertainment.

However, staging festivals at protected locations requires careful planning and close cooperation with heritage authorities.

At Sicily’s Segesta Archaeological Park, organizers Fabrizio Costa and Matthew Hoag worked with local officials to comply with preservation requirements. Obtaining approval can be difficult, with final permissions sometimes arriving only shortly before an event.

Aura Festival takes over the Doric Temple of Segesta

UNESCO guidance does not prohibit festivals at World Heritage Sites but calls for measures to limit potential damage. These include monitoring sound and vibrations, directing bass away from monuments, controlling lighting intensity and keeping heavy equipment away from foundations. Heritage and environmental impact assessments may also be required.

Organizers argue that responsible events can give historic places renewed relevance. Ancient amphitheaters and temples were once used for public gatherings and performances, they note, making music a potential way to reconnect visitors with their original cultural purpose.

Yet not every event has received an entirely positive response.

Medaina Festival brought house and techno music to Jordan’s ancient sandstone city of Petra and the Wadi Rum Valley last spring. Reactions were mixed, with some observers questioning the event’s cultural sensitivity and its relationship with local communities.

The debate has also intensified around the Pyramids of Giza, where Egypt hosted the inaugural Starlight Festival on October 9 and 10. Organized by EXIT Festival, the event featured more than 60 artists and attracted around 15,000 people. The festival site was approximately one kilometer from the pyramids rather than directly beside the structures.

The event followed decades of musical performances near the ancient monuments, including appearances by the Grateful Dead, Frank Sinatra, Mariah Carey and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Peggy Gou at the Old Royal Naval College, London

However, the Egyptian Centre for Economic and Social Rights filed a lawsuit in late 2025 seeking stronger restrictions on events near the pyramids. The complaint raised concerns that loud sound and laser lighting could threaten the limestone structures and surrounding archaeological environment.

Monica Hanna, a researcher and one of the plaintiffs, said the aim was not to prevent young people from attending concerts but to protect the monuments for future generations. The plaintiffs have proposed holding such events at least five kilometers away.

Celia Martinez of the International Council on Monuments and Sites has similarly stressed that organizers must recognize the fragility and cultural significance of heritage locations rather than treating them like ordinary entertainment venues.

Starlight organizers say respect for the site is central to their approach. Their program included guided pyramid tours, educational activities and performances by local artists. They also said the event would not use lasers or projections.

The debate ultimately centers on whether tourism and entertainment can support heritage awareness without putting irreplaceable landmarks at risk. Festivals may attract new audiences and generate economic opportunities, but their long-term success will depend on effective regulation, scientific assessment and meaningful engagement with local communities.

As historic venues become increasingly attractive to festival organizers, balancing memorable experiences with conservation will remain essential to ensuring that these landmarks endure beyond the music.