Oster-Kloster-Fest 2009 in Chorin

The „Oster-Kloster-Fest“ (Easter-Monastery-Festival) has celebrated this year its 20th jubilee. From April 9th to 13th all medieval enthusiasts had the opportunity to make a journey through time. Organizers were, as every year, „Spilwut“. I made my way to this medieval spectacle on Easter Sunday.

Unlike the last year, when weather was cold and uncomfortable, this year’s visitors got rewarded with best sunny and warm weather. What a perfect condition.

Tutorial in bow and arrow

Among a large number of booths that offered goods in any different kind – from garments and jewels to swords, crossbows, bow and arrow and other stuff you can find on and expect from common medieval markets – you could find arts and crafts, too. Young and old went in for the bargain of having a shot at different things like archery and throwing the ax. Of particular interest for children were the manually operated wooden carrousel, some animals for caressing and, of course, the wooden swords for all those little chevaliers.

On a big stage around 50 actors performed a play about life and death in the Middle Ages. But according to medieval tradition, also the sad topics had its comical moments; in that way it never got too distressing. For those who like medieval music, there was minnesang (medieval love songs) as well as ribald songs. Beeing exhausted by wandering over the dusty and mulched fairground, visitors could relax themselves while enjoying all sorts of viands: Soups, cakes and pastries, kickshaws from the barbecue, vegetables on a spit and much more. Many kinds of drinks were available, too: cool mead, delicious wines of fruits, beer and juices amongst others.

Bathhouse with cauldron on fireplace

The bathhouse with a cauldron on a fireplace attracted my special interest. Unfortunately I havn’t witnessed people climbing in the big wooden tubs and getting the feeling of a real medieval bath. I think it was the warm weather’s fault.

Fans of Living History had the chance to pre-register for attending the spectacle with their own beds. That’s the way „Oster-Kloster-Fest“ differs from other medieval markets and gets its individual air. Especially the assistance of these groups gives a small impression of what it meant to live in the Middle Ages. Though it is still much more comfortable on the festival than living some centuries ago in real medieval times.

Two fortunetellers

A lady in medieval garments accepted this offer of extraordinary camping together with her group and pitched their tents amidst the medieval events. She admited that she willingly took up on the offer of modern water-closets and soap. An exhibitor advertised with a billboard with the following inscription: „We keep up with the times: For this reason you can pay with cash and cedit cards, too!“ This things that made me smile precipitates a controversy for others.

Minstrels

My result: A successful medieval event for everyone: Everyone could experience a piece of the Middle Ages in different ways; to each his own: with or without medieval garments, as participant or as spectator, for young and young at heart. Everyone could immerse themself in medieval times or could be a part of it. And if you had still enough energy, you could contemplate the impressions of the day while walking through the circumjacent forests.

View of the Abbey of Chorin