Roskilde Festival's success year after year lies in much more than the music and its famed orange feeling. The event simply couldn't go on if it weren't for the small army of volunteers who handle projects big and small and ensure that the festival-goers have a fun, safe and memorable time.

 

Some 32,000 people volunteer during the week-long event, either giving their time and services directly to the Roskilde Festival or to one of the more than 200 clubs, societies and organizations that operate on the massive site.

 

See also: 'Diversity is what brings me to Roskilde Festival'

 

The ardent volunteers partake in everything from toilet duties to manning VIP check-ins to cleaning up the sizable mess left behind after a week-long party with around 100,000 guests. The festival is one example of the magnitude of properly-employed voluntary manpower for a good cause.

 

Backed by an urge to support initiatives that benefit children and the youth within humanitarian and cultural work, Roskilde Festival relies on the efforts of numerous volunteers to keep it living and breathing as an organisation dedicated to churning its profits into efforts that have a positive impact on society.

 

See also: The Local's ten must-see Roskilde gigs

 

On a Wednesday that marked the opening day for Roskilde's grand stages, with the likes of Pharrell Williams and Noel Gallagher making appearances at the sold-out festival, we wanted to find out more about who is making things run smoothly behind the scenes.

 

Besides the free ticket, what drives these volunteers to donate their time and energies to the Roskilde Festival? The Local caught up with some of the volunteers at this year's festival. Here is what they had to say:

 

Nadia Muhammad, first-time volunteer from Valby. 

 

“Being a volunteer is hard and demanding at times, but also a lot of fun.” 

“We have such a good time at the Roskilde Festival and I really like it out here in Street City.”

 

First-time volunteer Nadia Behzadi

 

“I am happy for the free ticket, I have great colleagues and it is really fun work.”