I love history. I am not afraid to say that I am a big geek. History, for me, is the most interesting thing there is.
So when I saw that there was a festival happening in Pontevedra, Spain, where everybody dresses up like they were from the Middle Ages, I had to go and see it!
I arrived on the bus, and as we approached the bus station I could see more and more people dressed up in amazing costumes. There were knights and princesses, bishops and monks, Ancient Romans and peasants. Fantastic!
I got off the bus and I did not know where to go, because I had never been to Pontevedra before. So I decided to follow the stream of people in costumes as they walked to the centre of town.
The sun was shining and the day was warm. I walked slowly, following a family who had even put costumes on the baby and the dog.
As I entered the historic centre of town I was amazed at how much the place had been transformed. It looked like a medieval market place. There was straw covering the floor, and stalls had been set up selling all sorts of things. There were basket weavers, metal workers, stone carvers, and much more. There were horses and other animals around. And above all was the smell of food. Meat was being cooked over fires and the smell was delicious!
There was a great feeling of community. Everybody was laughing, playing and having fun. At around three o’clock, everybody went to eat. There were long tables in all of the small medieval streets. Families and friends sat together and enjoyed a meal. In Spain meal times are very important.
This festival, which is called Feira Franca, celebrates the time when Pontevedra was at its richest and most prosperous. It happens every year at the beginning of September.
I have just moved to Galicia, in Spain, for one year. I hope there are more interesting events like this one. For me, historical re-enactment really brings the past alive and is a great way to celebrate our history and culture.
Do you like history? Have you ever been to a historic festival like this one?
