Occulture has its roots in a change of attitude that came about at the turn of the millenium. The very first Occulture festival held in 2000, gave resonance to the idea that esotericism is something to celebrate. In early 2000 some newspapers had set out to vilify the late Mr Derek Taylor (a healer and trance medium) and painted him in an untruthful and inaccurate light. Despite being rebuffed by a newspaper editor who refused to retract the story, a small group of people aimed to free Taylor from such negative association and celebrate the many wonderful achievements of his life. So began Occulture. The festival invited several other individuals and organisations who had each in their own way, also been persecuted for being involved with esoteric ideas.

By 2001 Occulture attracted an Evangelist broadside in the press, our response was one of truthfulness, transparency and laying the facts before the readers – the response in our favour was overwhelming. Occulture began to attract many new paths and persuasions who wanted freedom of expression. The tide had turned.

By 2003 the festival attracted the Government of Tibet with the full knowledge and Blessing of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The Mayor of Brighton formally opened the festivities. Things had changed.
The impact of the festival experience actually changed the perception of esoteric culture and led to a number of similar esoteric events to spring up in its wake, as continue to do so to this day. Although the festival eventually closed its doors it was not forgotten, as the visitors of yesteryear awaited its return. The name conjured images of a sacred celebration of life and meeting of like minded folk.

The Occulture mission is simple and summed up perfectly in the words of international pianist Vim Van Dulleman, who said whilst at the last festival that the entire history of humanity as that of crime – wars to invade land, rape of other cultures killing, bombing, pillaging and so on but he said ‘here at Occulture people have learnt how to respect one another…
Occulture stands for tolerance, open mindedness and celebration of life. Come and join us.