Today at Across the Cafe Table we’re sharing our favorite festivals from around the world.
I grew up attending two festivals every year: Scandinavian and Scottish. They were highlights of my year, places where I met the same dear friends and ate traditional foods that we dreamed of all year long.
Now that I’m in Australia, I’ve started new festival traditions.
I’m very excited about the Jumpers and Jazz Festival coming up this month in nearby Warwick, Queensland. With chocolate workshops, wine-tasting, yarn-bombing and lots of great music, it looks like a jolly time indeed.
The best festival I’ve attended recently is the Abbey Medieval Festival on Bribie Island. The largest medieval festival in the Southern Hemisphere, this festival is a flamboyant celebration of all things medieval.
Yesterday I showed you pictures of a medieval gypsy caravan and wedding (click here to see pictures)
There were so many other sights to see!
Like these medieval Syrian dancers who twirled, dipped and shimmied to the beat of drums as they gracefully waved silk scarves.
Adorable children dressed up as Vikings complete with their own little wooden swords and shields.
You could take a ride on camels like this fellow who looks like he’s grinning for the camera. 🙂
Or cheer wildly for gallant knights showing their prowess and chivalry on the field of battle.
When the battle was over you could wander from one medieval camp to another, learning how to make braided trim and amber jewelry from the Vikings or how to bind books from the French.
And you couldn’t miss out on the wonderful array of shops where you could find everything from hand-made pottery and beautifully wrought iron to exquisitely soft furs and luscious felted wool.
Do you like attending festivals? What is your favorite one?
This looks like it was so much fun Krista. Your photos are gorgeous as always 🙂
It was marvelous fun, Cathy! 🙂 So glad you like the pics. 🙂
Living in the Okanagan valley it is the wine festivals that come to mind, There are 3 a year with the fall being the most popular. Great food, done tatting and learning experiences.
Oh, I bet you’ve got some fabulous wine festivals, Val. 🙂
What fabulous photos and so beautiful! I love the Syrian dancers and the vikings are too cute. You’ve really captured the spirit and lively fun of these festival and how mucky to find so many cool festivals. Love it all, Krista!
Thank you, Jamie! 🙂 I’m so glad you like it too. It makes me happy all over again just looking at the pictures. 🙂
What fun Krista! It reminds me of a festival we attended in Italy celebrating the Seige of Canelli. The whole town dressed in the costume of the day and re-enacted the seige of the town. There were also fabulous food and wine stalls. You’d have loved it!
That sounds like so much fun, Jenny!! 🙂 I would have loved that for sure. 🙂
I haven’t been to a festival in years. I was supposed to go to one last week, but was too sick. These pics are awesome!
Ohh, I hope you feel HEAPS better soon so that you can find another good one to attend, Andi. 🙂
This looks like the most fun festival! I would so love to go sometime!!
It was so jolly, Katy!! When you come to visit we will go. 🙂
I feel like one of the best ways to experience other cultures is through the festivals they have! SO MUCH FUN!
I absolutely agree, Joanne. 🙂 It’s like a smorgasbord of all the best bits to remind you of what makes life beautiful and worth living. 🙂
This looks so fun! The vibrant colors of everyone’s clothes really pops. And of course all the smiles are welcome. I haven’t been to a festival like you’re describing in ages but I shall keep my eyes peeled.
I hope you will find one, Stevie! 🙂 It was such a jolly time. 🙂