Glastonbury Festival organiser gets honorary doctorate

15 Dec 2004

Michael Eavis, has received an honorary doctorate from the University of Bath.

He was awarded a Doctor of Arts degree for his services to the arts at a graduation ceremony at the Assembly Rooms in Bath last Monday 13 December 2004.

Michael was introduced by Professor Geof Wood, head of the University's Department of Economics and International Development, who described the Festival as a "remarkable contribution to global popular culture."

"It keeps alive a vision of a better world amid the rapaciousness of capitalism, global inequalities and rising violence," he said. He spoke of "Mr Eavis' tenacity and spirit" and "skills of negotiation and diplomacy".



In his acceptance speech Michael said he was delighted to be awarded the honorary doctorate. "It's been a fantastic day, a great privilege and a great honour," he said.
Michael told how he was brought up in the Methodist faith to work hard and get things done, principles that helped him to establish the Festival as a world-wide event.



"I don't know why the Festival is so successful - it's a mystery to me," he said. "We are top of the tree around the world and the tickets are sold out within ten minutes. Whatever we do, we attract enthusiasm and this is the extra thing about Glastonbury."

Link to full text of the orator.
http://www.bath.ac.uk/internal/news/hon04-eavis

Words: Mark Cann Pictures: Matt Cordy

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