On 20-22 July, the County Council Brasov, in partnership with the ?Viva la Musica? Cultural Association organized on the Sporting Highschool?s Arena the first edition of Brasov?s Medieval Feasts. The exceptional event managed to revive the ancient atmosphere of this famous medieval burg. The organizers recreated for the public ? tourists and inhabitants as well ? the most accurate counterpart of those times: medieval tents hosting artisans and their artefacts, set up across the citadel?s walls near the restored monuments, traditional drinks and dishes ? wine, beer, spitted ox, pastrami. The ground trembled under the weight of the armour-clad knights, who tourney on the arena for the hand of imaginary princesses.
Dubbing Knights and Ladies
The public was given a Citadel?s special map, where were marked the locations of the artisans? tents. Those visiting them accumulated the stamps of each stand; the bigger the number, the bigger the chances to get a prize. The contests on the Sporting Highschool Arena recreated successfully the medieval atmosphere of Brasov. The winners were dubbed knights or ladies of the fortress.
According to Aristotel Cancescu, the president of the County Council Brasov, the Medieval Feasts are a great opportunity for tourists to discover the Citadel?s history.
The first Knights Tournament
For three days, the audience was immerged into real-like medieval ambiance, they could listen and see medieval music and dance or watch the first knights and horses tournament ever organized in Romania. Theatrical performances, fight demonstrations, exciting contests involving the public and a lot of good music was the recipe of Brasov?s Medieval Feasts.
Following the range County Council ? Nicolae Iorga St. ? Muresenilor St. ? Baritiu St. ? Sirul Beethoven St. ? Schei Gate ? Sporting Highschool Arena, the participants marched in parade, ending with the honour tour of the Arena. The Strongholds? Knights of ?Tara Barsei? challenged in tournament and the Crown?s Guards exhibited their knightly weapons. The public was also amazed by the ?The Witch?s Trial? and charmed by the modern tunes played with medieval instruments.
The Great Repast was accompanied by famous Romanian folk singers such as Ducu Berti, Vasile Seicaru, Mircea Baniciu, Florian Pitis; music lovers could also watch at Ecaterina?s Gate the silent film ?Faust? of. F.W. Murnau, accompanied by live impromptus.
Traditional Contests
There were many among the participants to compete at the archery contests, ox throwing challenges, log fights, javelin contentions and light swords battles. The strongest competed at the ?The Citadel?s most powerful man? and the most skilled at the log chopping contest.
Musical Citadel
During the three days of the event, the whole Citadel resounded with recitals: ?The Minstrels of Huniads? Castle?, ?Gaudeamus? Quartet of Brasov Philharmonic, ?Flauto Dolce? Band of Cluj Napoca, gypsy music with ?Lisandra? and ?Fire Hearst? of Tarlungeni, medieval tunes with ?Passamezzo? band of Cluj, brass band shows and ?The Hirsher Family?s Legend? theatre performance.
