Every
early August, in week 32, the Medieval
Week is celebrated in Visby, on the Island of Gotland. It
started in 1984, the year I did my military service on that Island… I’ve stayed
away from the island since then. Anyway, it was time to re-acquaint myself and
the family with Visby.
We
left home very early on Sunday 3rd, in a fierce thunderstorm, to
travel with car to Nynäshamn and the ferry. Due to the downpour we had to more or less crawl
half the way, and we cleared check-in less than five minutes before it closed –
wife and I had to run from the parking lot to have a chance…
3,5
hours cruise, and we arrived in a very hot Visby, it was around 300C.
A short walk to our hotel (air-conditioned – hooray!) and after that into medieval times!
The
thing with this week is that a lot of the participants dress up in their best
medieval dresses. A lot means more than 50% of the attendees. It’s like a
gigantic live role-playing game.
We
came just in time for the Inaugural Parade.
My wife, dressed in style
The
parade ended in the Medieval Marketplace, the heart of the week. You eat,
drink, try out things, enjoy whatever is on stage, buy stuff and just look at
folks.
The old and the new mayors of the
week, on their way to open the week
Regardless of age you can be a kid
A merry-go-round Medieval style.
My daughter ‘jousting’
My oldest son, Martin, where he should
be. He didn’t look so happy when we brought the rotten tomatoes…
The
day ended with the Inaugural Party by the sea, outside the walled town.
It ended with flaming arrows shot out to
sea…
…and a burning something ended our day
This
was an insanely fun first day. More to come!
Haven't been there for 15 years or so... have to go next year I think.
ReplyDeleteA Lardies tour, maybe...
DeleteVery cool! I know Scandinavian ladies were on the tall side, but...
ReplyDelete:-)
DeleteLooks like a very cool day. Looking forward to seeing more photos off the rest of the event :)
ReplyDeleteIt was a very hot day, but cool...
DeleteMore photos coming in the coming days, I have more than 500 to chose from, so it does take some time
Very cool, I love the second to last photo of the flaming arrows :-)
ReplyDeleteI'm very satisfied with that one.
DeleteI am a bit ashamed of the fact that I live within walking distance of the ferry to Gotland, but I've only been there once and never during Medeltidsveckan.
ReplyDeleteA Lardies tour could change that...
DeleteI will push for the family vacation being Gotland next year -- because I want to go anyway, but a lard meet-up would be nice as well.
DeleteHowever I also need to sort out a trip to Rome with the missus first, since I have promised her one. Let's hope the kids doesn't want to go to Disneyland or something that costs an arm and a leg.
We have the beginnings of a plan...
Delete