After our cycle trip I only spent 2 days at home and then went off again. This time to Thüringen, the eastern part of Germany. Last year I had visited the Castle Festival in Schalkau with Dunkelschön - this year I was invited again and was delighted to go.
The festival started on Friday evening, but the preparations had already started a week before. I thought I could offer some help when I arrived on Thursday, but the about 30 members of the assosiation who look after the castle ruins and run the festival all had their jobs. As I was asked to bring my harp - Biddy, the small and sturdy one - along, I practised and the working force enjoyed it.
On Friday I met a young HurdyGurly player - about the age of our youngest daughter. He gave me his precious instrument and I really managed to make it sound - well, maybe no very nice, but still... Of course he was allowed to play on my harp and was surprised how easy it is to make it sound nicely.
More medieval stalls apeared and I enjoyed some walks in the wonderful surroundings with perfect summer weather.
For the evening we all got dressed in medieval looking clothes and listened to the first arriving bands. The band "Die Irrlichter" (fen fires) also arrived even though they started playing on Saturday and since we met several times before, they seemed to be happy to see me again and asked me to show them around.
While I was playing on top of the castle ruins, one visitor took some pictures and even made a video of my performance. You can listen to it here
With fen fires on the castle ruins.
Heidenlärm played on all 3 days.
On Friday I was sitting in the front row to enjoy the fire show of Luna.
On Saturday I was very busy with my harp whenever no band was playing on the stage. Otherwise the sound was travelling all over the castle. Still - many visitors loved my harp and I had even a request to play (!) and got free drinks.
The best bit of the day was playing together with the Hurdy Gurly. The young player just listened to my songs and then played along. That was really fantastic! I loved every second.
And what is more - one song of this experiment can be seen on YouTube - click here.
The Irrlichter played several times on stage.
....then my harp had a rest.
The harp player of the Irrlichter is looking for a harp for her son, so she tried out little Biddy and was delighted about the sound.
On Sunday summer took a break and it was raining almost all day. Still, many visitors took their umbrellas and came anyway. The church service was planned for the top of the castle but had to take place under shelters, which were build up in a moment - and carried away again afterwards.
My harp had to stay in the car - it was just too wet. So I had time for plenty of photos, especially when the knights of the medieval camp came to take over the castle.
Just when the festival was over, I had to leave to catch my train home. It was pouring again and the sound of the HurdyGurly playing on the stage followed me....
Well - it was a fantastic weekend and felt like a real holiday!
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