Activities - To watch
Lugh Wickerman
A wickerman is an ancient Celtic ritual piece of art, made especially to fill with all sorts of gifts to the gods/goddesses and spirits of nature, after which it will be burned as a sacrifice. This wickerman, build by Omnia & Castlefest and consecrated to the sun god, Lugh, will be sacrificed during the special Omnia gig at the Pagan-night on saturday evening. Everyone can put something into the wickerman to sacrifice to Lugh and the spirits of nature. Only natural inflammable sacrifices (food, drinks, flowers, needlework, etc.) will be accepted.
Witches' Scales
When people have problems, they will always try to find a scapegoat. The local witch, male or female, would more often than not be handed over to the local caretakers of the law for trial. Fortunately there are reliable scales at the market, which can determine if someone is a witch or not. After all a witch must be light as a feather to be able to fly. If you are not a witch, you will get your certificate, freeing you of all charges. But if you seem to be a witch, beware!
This act is organized by Stage-organisation Ratatouille.
Martelgang (Torture Hall)
The smell of burned flesh hangs in the air. Cries for aid escape the convicted. The hangmanęs noose is empty, but for how long? The executioner sharpens his knives, ready for what comes next. Are you?
The "Martelgang" shows what criminals of old feared. Tongs and knives, hammers and pokers, wielded by a merciless Executioner. An icy scream sounds, blood flows, who will survive, who will not?
Old-fashioned public entertainment at its most bloody. Not suitable for young children and those dressed in white...
Childrens' theatre Groot Duimpje
Groot Duimpje (Big Thumb) plays theatre in which childrenęs fantasy is the most important part. They donęt use standard texts, so they can react to what their audience says. They will be at the childrenęs fair during the whole weekend, where they will play a different fantasy or fairy-tale show every day. For example about a tough princess with a sword, who chases away the demons. In some of their shows they use puppets. In between the shows Groot Duimpje organizes interactive moments, like a dragon that has to be tamed by the children.
Kelten zonder Grenzen (Celts without boundaries)
They are the Celts without Boundaries and armed with harps, hurdy-gurdy, a sword and a stick they tell Celtic stories; real Celtic stories, translated from Irish and edited to tell to you. Musical story telling theatre that started in the pub.
Fashion-show La Rose Couture
Workshop La Rose Couture is specialized in historical clothing of different periods and the proper jewellery and accessories. In the fashion-show they go back in time to hoop skirts, beautiful dresses and eternal elegance. If you are bored with modern clothing, find your period and dress up! They also have a stand near the stage, so come by for more costumes. Enjoy the fantastic music, beautiful costumes and wonderful show!
Kelvin Kalvus "the Alchemist"
This alchemistic acrobat and fire artist will perform like some sort of "one man Cirque du Soleil." The most impossible tricks with his crystal balls and fire-staff will amaze you. Kelvin is famous and loved at German medieval festivals and now he will perform for the second time at Castlefest.
Florisimo
Florisimo juggles with balls, (fire)pins, knives and other rubbish. Spins big fireballs, eats fire like it is icecream and breathes flames. Florisimo shows you the bright side of life, with a giant quantity of cynism. He loves animals, but knows no mercy for bitter people. Tears get no chance to flow, because the fiery heath makes them evaporate, but you won't be able to suppress a (half) smile.
Las Fuegas
These two scarcely dressed, beautiful female fakirs and fire artists are (like Kelvin Kalvus) famous and loved at German medieval festivals. These fantastic snake people will show you what willpower and body-control are, on beds of nails and with broken glass. They will also dance and play for you like graceful fairies with hot, all consuming fire.
Johannes the Fool
Johannes is known in the whole Netherlands as the most naive, simple but sympathetic soul you can come across at any fantasy, gothic, medieval or pagan festival. He is a medieval fool, doing tricks with innocent wooden ladles and juggling balls that you never expected, ensuring your laugh for the rest of the week.
Jannes the Magician
Do you want to see what amazed people in the middle ages? Jannes travels from fair to fair. Friendly and humorous he presents one wonder after another. He performs magic tricks with simple things: coins, cups, eggs and ropes. Jannes makes balls disappear and reappear and does his magic tricks until even he doesn't get it anymore.
Witch Kromhout
Witch Kromhout from the Willows. What can you say about her? She doesn't say anything at all. But her face tells you everything! Curious as she is, she likes to interfere with other people. She is always friendly, but she likes to scare people. Unfortunately she doesnęt always succeed. But many people pretend they are scared and she is very happy with that.
Abe the Storyteller
Listen and tremble when this man tells his stories. Abe the Storyteller relates the tales from the Celtic and Norse mythology, but also a grim fairy-tale from time to time. His stories are passionate, terrifying, sometimes uplifting and often make you laugh. Many an elf, giant, witch and divine being will pass your wat. And this all told with the passion and inspiration of a true storyteller.
www.abedeverteller.moonfruit.com
Queen of Bats
She walks like a proud angry peacock and arrogantly spreads her beautiful black wings. High above her audience she twinkles like a Black Diamond. Watch out! The Queen of Bats roams the field! The Queen of Bats is a stunning stilt-walking performance. Dominant but sensual, sexy but dangerous. Dancing and parading she moves through the audience.
Tan Elleil
Tan Elleil is a young celtic tribal and pagan folk project that exists of musicians and dancers. They just want to feel the music and give you a small moment of escape to the ancient Celtic times. With harp, fire and veil dances and stilt-walking they have an amazing show.
Historical OpenAir Museum Eindhoven
This museum is one of the 300 living museums in Europe. The museum exist of a reconstruction of the Iron Age village 'Eversham', a farm from around 1100 and the medieval town 'Endehoven'. Meet the historically dressed villagers who practice old crafts. Experience the differences between the Iron Age or medieval society and the 'high-tech' society of modern days.
Some of the villagers will come to Castlefest to show their crafts. If you want to see more of this, then you can visit the Historical OpenAir Museum Eindhoven!
www.historisch-openluchtmuseum-eindhoven.nl
Clan MacBran
A scottish encampment, where all sorts of demonstrations will be held about the daily living in the scottish Highlands of former times. Demonstrations about the camplife of then, food, clothing, tents, weapons and much more.
Woads
There's a path through de forest. If you walk that path, you will come by a Celtic settlement. The Woads live there. The clan-name Woads is derived from a small herb, called Woad. The Woads mainly use this herb to make blue dye from it. They want to show everyone how a Celtic family lived. What did a day in the life of a Celt look like? That and much more.
Allemansend
Allemansend is a re-enactment association. They focus on the year 1705 and especially the seamen and pirates of that time. Their aim is to remake original clothing, weapons, etcetera and to do research about old habits and techniques. Every detail counts.
The Knights of Pendragon
The big Roman empire falls apart through mutual war and betrayal. The tribes in Europe have to look for new ground and food, they flee from the Huns and from each other. Peoples disappear, merge or rise. In the dark medieval times the knights of Pendragon search for fame and wealth. Mercenaries without god or command, a mishmash of many tribes who will fight where ever they are asked. And donęt worry, they will win.. No matter what!
Zwaard & Steen (Sword & Stone)
Zwaard & Steen shows what life was like in the Middle Ages by means of many tents, cooking fires and materials. They give fighting demonstrations, but also give children (and adults) a chance to wield a real sword for once. At the end of the day they sit down for a meal which they prepared themselves during the day.
The Journeymen of Twilight (De Ghesellen van de Schemering)
This is an early thirteenth century West-European company. They give insight into medieval life after the day's work is concluded; Relaxation, handcrafts (riveting chainmail, embroidering, sword fighting), music, and cooking. The 'Nostra-dames' shed some light on the near future of 1208.
Thule
Thule, or Ultima Thule was in medieval times the name of the northernmost lands. This group of re-enactors shows how in medieval times they cooked, worked leather and wood and dyed wool. More info to follow.
Reepschlaegerey (Ropemaking)
René the Ropemaker makes ropes in the manner of old, with his hands. This he will do for free together with the audience. He will also repair damaged ropes and explain the different techniques and tools used.
