Mediaeval Sighisoara Festival

Mediaeval legends is this years theme of the Mediaeval Sighisoara Festival

Leyla Cheamil, 30.07.2018, 12:31

Knights on horseback, shield bearers, elegantly dressed ladies, troubadours, merchants, craftspeople and jugglers created a fascinating fairy-tale like atmosphere during the three days of the Medieval Festival in Sighisoara, central Romania, the only inhabited mediaeval citadel in south-eastern Europe. Founded in 1992, the festival is held every year on the last weekend in July, when the town regains its mediaeval atmosphere. The theme of this years edition was mediaeval legends. The mayor of Sighisoara, Ovidiu Malancravean, tells us more:

Ovidiu Malancravean: “We wanted to go back to the origins, to the festivals earliest editions, given that Sighisoara was a pioneer of mediaeval festivals in Romania. We are very lucky to have bands from abroad among our guests again.

270 musicians and dancers from Romania and four other countries staged more than 100 events. The director of the festival was Mihai Serghei Tudor, who initiated the festival in the first place and who returned at its helm after many years. “Most performances had a key moment. Ive always said that whats important is beauty, history and cultural identity and not the commercial and financial aspect, the director pointed out. Every year, the festival draws many foreign and local tourists to Sighisoara, all of whom are attracted by the authenticity of the performances, the mediaeval dances, the decors, the props and, last but not least, the costumes.

Visitor: “Its very nice, very well-organised. We are trying to relive a part of Romanias history

Visitor: “I like everything very much

Visitor: “I really wasnt expecting this. I saw the previous editions on TV. Its truly ‘wow. I tried the costumes on and took pictures.

The Comedy Theatre, the Shadows Theatre, interactive performances for children, a tournament, flag juggling, mediaeval arts and manufacturing workshops were all part of the line-up. Other options were poetry recitals, conferences, exhibitions, video-mapping, and other activities that took everyone back in time for three days. Between the citadels wall, fearless knights battled each other on horseback, ladies showed off their elegant dresses, the troubadours demonstrated their virtuosity and the artisans delighted visitors with their wood, glass and leather creations and hand-made jewelry and toys.

(translated by: Cristina Mateescu)