Luka Dakskobler

Stories: MEDIEVAL REENACTMENTS IN SLOVENIA

Europe has a rich Medieval history, known for its chivalry, romance, kings and queens. In 1994, a couple of enthusiasts in Slovenia decided to start reviving it in a grander scale. Today, there are over ten large Medieval events throughout the country, starting in May and ending as late as in October. Darja and Andrej Žnidaršič with the help of Dušan Kramberger, secretary of cultural heritage directory at the Ministry of Culture, and Vesna Berce, the then-manager of the Snežnik castle, despite very few sources gathered clothes and equipment to organize the very first knight games at the Kaja & Grom ranch on newyear’s eve 1994 and thus started what became one of the most popular cultural events in Slovenia. Today, at least 15 such events are organized annually including those in Predjama, Ljubljana, Celje, Velenje, Žužemberk, Ptuj, Bled , Škofja Loka and elsewhere. Many had become traditional more that a decade ago, some of them are new, and most of them are trying to weave their programs around different topics from the medieval histories of their towns. The organizers try to make the events as realistic as possible while trying to work around all the modern day essentials that are present on every step. No coffee, no cell phones, no glasses, no watches ... But it is easier said than done. 

  • The largest Medieval events like the Ljubljana Medieval Days open with a skillful performance of Italian flag throwers. There can be 50 members of such teams whose performances are an intorduction to a spectacular day.
  • Just like in the Middle Ages knights put up a camp below the Predjama castle for a two day stay and performance at the Erazem's Knight Tournament, the largest Medieval event in Slovenia. July 26, 2008.
  • Knights of the Round Table, one of the oldest and most active knight groups in Slovenia, prepare their shields and clothing for the Erazem's Knight Tournament in Predjama, Slovenia, on July 26, 2008. Most of the equipment and outfits are still made by themselves, while some of the groups buy them from other knight groups. It is also popular for these groups to have their own castle and the Carinthian Order of the Knights of the Round Table is no exception.
  • Knights from the Croatian island of Korčula perform at the Ljubljana castle September 9, 2007. The events are almost always international with Italians, Czechs and Croatians regularily attending.
  • Czech knight group performs at the Erazem's Knight Tournament in Predjama, Slovenia, on July 27, 2008.
  • A young princess from the Croatian island of Korčula watches knights fight in her honour at the Ljubljana castle on September 9, 2007.
  • A buffoon participates in a play where people must hit his face with a wet sponge in Škofja Loka, Slovenia, on June 23, 2007.
  • A knight takes a picture with a cell phone at the Ljubljana castle on September 9, 2007. Hiding signs of present day is extremely difficult when our culture is so dependant on technology and basic modern inventions. Cell phones are forbidden for all event participants, but it is impossible to control the large numbers of performers.
  • A knight and his horse wait by a fire hydrant in Bled, Slovenia, on June 8, 2008. Signs of modern era are everywhere and are inavoidable. To cover it all would need too much funding, an expense Slovenian organizers cannot afford. But Austrians do. In Friesach they actually cover hydrants etc. and turn off electricity.
  • A team of horsemen celebrates victory at a Medieval event in Bled, on June 8, 2008.
  • A street performer kisses a frog in Škofja Loka, Slovenia, on June 21, 2008. Frogs and snakes are a common part of buffoon performances and attract crowds of people.
  • A magician performs during a Medieval event in Otočec, Slovenia, on September 21, 2008. There is no Middle Ages without witches. In a performance by a magician called Saturn, a witch is identified and burnt for the audience, old and young.
  • Archers perform at the castle of Celje, Slovenia, on August 30, 2008. Archery is an essential part of Medieval events. Target shooting is performed by skillful knights, while at the same time recreational target shooting is organized for visitors.
  • Czech knight group Rekruti performs at the Erazem's Knight Tournament in Predjama, Slovenia, on July 26, 2008.
  • Most Medieval events take place during summer when it is very hot, especially under the outfits. After the show in Predjama that takes place in July the knights are exhausted.
  • A firebreather performs during the Fiery Carthusia Medieval event in the Žiče Carthusian Monastery on July 22, 2007. Firebreathers are an essential part of Medieval events, but they were hard to find when these events kicked off. Today, they are plenty.
  • At the Path of Venus event in Škofja Loka, the day finishes with reneissance and medieval dances performed by dance groups Lonca and Galiarda. June 21, 2008.
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