Haarzuilen, Utrecht, The NetherlandsApril 23rd 2006
Elf Fantasy Fair
Just after I left home it was clear, I was not the only one from this part of the country going to Haarzuilen. After the train stopped for the first time I saw pointed ears and swords appear. Soon enough more elves and fairies joined us. During the last part of my journey by train there were only 1 or 2 ‘normal’ folks on the train. Everybody was talking to each other, some in LARP slang, even some sword fights were held.
When arriving at thecastle by shuttle bus it was quite busy… even though the gates weren’t opened yet. Large yellow signs welcomed us to the fair and the ticket offices were in business. Then an employee of the fantasy fair and the crowd counted to eleven (which is elf in Dutch) and the gates were opened.
Even though the row of magical beings and visitors was long it moved quickly. Behind the entrance there was an information stand providing maps and answers. Everything was taken care of. Even Stefan Struik (editor in chief of the Elf Fantasy magazine) was there to help. There were more stands next to this one, with information about other festivals such as the Summer Darkness festival and there were shops with LARP equipment, clothes, books, incense, tea and many more fantastical things to be found all over the castle garden.
The fair was not just for shopping though, there was much more to do. On both days there were lectures for instance. As every year I visited the lectures of professor Rotherham. This year he gave one on prophets and truth Sayers and one on Nostradamus. Both were attended by a large crowd. If you are able to understand the English you are bound to have an entertaining end educational time.
As it was Sunday this was the day to welcome a new knight to the round table of Elf. This Sunday was extra special since it was St. Georges day, day of the saint of knights and knighthood and of England; the reason that many of the fair employees wore a rose. This year it was the turn of an eleven year old girl to join the round table. She was knighted by professor Rotherham and received some gifts such as a book about knights and a small sword (to open letters of admirers and those in need).
In the witches village there was a pagan council where several witches or at least people with knowledge of Wicca and religions alike were there to answer questions of the audience. There was also space for a well led discussion. Quite interesting I might add.
There were also writers and movie actors to sign books and pictures. And there was music. The main act of this year was Qntal. Before they started there was already quite a crowd waiting for their performance. It was a great band for this fair for it has many ancient tunes, or at least they sound like that. With flutes, drums, guitar and keys they provided a wonderful musical addition to the fair. Syran enchanted the audience with her voice and slowly the audience started to dance. Even though it started to rain during their performance it was a great success.
Each year there is a costume contest and this year professor Rotherham and Jonannes de Nar (the jester) announced each member of the contest as they made their appearance on stage. This wasn’t the only stage though for on another stage there were pieces of the musical Marcus Andronicus were shown.
It was a pity that it started to rain half way through the day because the weather had been great. But it didn’t seem to matter to most of the visitors for when it was time for the final battle of the day and a huge legion of elves marched through the castle gardens there many people following them to come and see them battle the army of hired men (and orcs, monsters etc.) And thus another day in fantasy land ended, back to the shuttle busses, cold and wet. Until next year…
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