Is this ‘renaissance fair’ branding is a new thing? I did a few historical/fantasy weekend larps when I was younger but they were never called ‘renaissance fairs’.
I think larps are slightly different I would say https://loxwoodjoust.co.uk/immersive-festival/ where the visitors see the reenactors, and while some cosplay, the renenactment is a performance by a cast.
Where as LARP (e.g. Empire) is all the “visitors” are in the cast
I’ve never heard of a renaissance fair over here. And one of the examples you give, jorvik viking festival, is surely set several centurias before the renaissance.
They ended up called Renaissance Fairs because a radio ad exec in California thought it was a more broadly appealing name when the first one was held, and it stuck.
I watched a catapult fire projectiles into a castle moat outside of Cardiff at a medieval fair. Also got propositioned by a Welsh girl, but couldn’t understand what she was saying.
Renaissance fairs are an American thing. They don’t exist in the UK.
I don’t know the UK, so I might be wrong, but it’s not an US only thing (beside the naming).
I’ve seen various form of medieval markets/festivals on several continental Europe countries, and I don’t see why it wouldn’t cross the channel. Even though, Historical re-enactment is a niche hobby, it’s not that uncommon to find group focused on the a given historical period caring a lot about the details, no matter if they re-enact the Viking, The crusade, or Napoleon’s army (If you visit Belgium during the Waterloo battle anniversary, you can see these groups re-enacting the battle). LARP is also a thing in the whole western Europe, it’s way less realistic as we do have elves and orcs, the biggest worldwide runs in Germany Trailer and UK has also some big ones and a lot of smaller ones.
While not a renaissance fair exactly, there is a jousting tournament in Leeds Castle in Kent once or twice a year. It’s a lot of fun with armour, swords, horses, the whole shebang.
Renaissance fairs are an American thing. They don’t exist in the UK.
You say that very confidently and are pretty well upvoted but I found several in a quick search:
https://jorvikvikingfestival.co.uk/ https://tewkesburymedievalfestival.org/ https://fantasyforest.co.uk/ http://www.renaissancefaire.co.uk/
Is this ‘renaissance fair’ branding is a new thing? I did a few historical/fantasy weekend larps when I was younger but they were never called ‘renaissance fairs’.
In Minnesota US they’ve been around since September 11, 1971
I think larps are slightly different I would say https://loxwoodjoust.co.uk/immersive-festival/ where the visitors see the reenactors, and while some cosplay, the renenactment is a performance by a cast.
Where as LARP (e.g. Empire) is all the “visitors” are in the cast
I’ve never heard of a renaissance fair over here. And one of the examples you give, jorvik viking festival, is surely set several centurias before the renaissance.
All Renaissance fairs are really medieval fairs.
They ended up called Renaissance Fairs because a radio ad exec in California thought it was a more broadly appealing name when the first one was held, and it stuck.
I’ve wondered about the name for a while, thanks for explaining!
They might exist, but they aren’t widely known about like they are in the USA
“Rwy’n hoffi chi. Dych chi eisiau mynd i’r caffi gyda mi am baned o goffi?”
=
“I like you. Do you want to go to the café with me to have a cup of coffee?”
I’m still learning Welsh, so this might contain mistakes, but it’s better than saying you don’t understand her… For future reference, you know.
Edit: Meant to reply to the comment below me.
You call a fantasy event a renaissance festival?
Arguable but the last time I was at the RenFest in Larkspur, there were Jedi and Star Fleet officers there.
That’s the big difference between the US ren faires and the European ones.
The ones over here are usually organized by castle museums or therelike, so in general, they are quite grounded in reality.
You might have a herb witch or something like that over here, but you won’t have dragons, magic or Disney present there.
deleted by creator
https://loxwoodjoust.co.uk/immersive-festival/ I think is closest to American ren faire.
I watched a catapult fire projectiles into a castle moat outside of Cardiff at a medieval fair. Also got propositioned by a Welsh girl, but couldn’t understand what she was saying.
I don’t know the UK, so I might be wrong, but it’s not an US only thing (beside the naming).
I’ve seen various form of medieval markets/festivals on several continental Europe countries, and I don’t see why it wouldn’t cross the channel. Even though, Historical re-enactment is a niche hobby, it’s not that uncommon to find group focused on the a given historical period caring a lot about the details, no matter if they re-enact the Viking, The crusade, or Napoleon’s army (If you visit Belgium during the Waterloo battle anniversary, you can see these groups re-enacting the battle). LARP is also a thing in the whole western Europe, it’s way less realistic as we do have elves and orcs, the biggest worldwide runs in Germany Trailer and UK has also some big ones and a lot of smaller ones.
So I’m sorry to disagree with your claim
They exist here in Australia too. Which is a Commonwealth country with lots of English influenced heritage and culture.
While not a renaissance fair exactly, there is a jousting tournament in Leeds Castle in Kent once or twice a year. It’s a lot of fun with armour, swords, horses, the whole shebang.
https://loxwoodjoust.co.uk/immersive-festival/
Pity. It isn’t even my thing but the few I have been to I have enjoyed. Kinda cool seeing how glass and metal tools were made back in the day.