The city of Silves goes back, for nine days, to the 28th century, when D. Sancho I, helped by the Nordic crusaders on his way to the Holy Land, took the city from the Moors for the first time. It will be another edition of the Medieval Fair of Silves, which starts tomorrow, the 5th, and runs until August XNUMXth.
This year, the big news is the fact that the fair has paid admission, even so at an affordable price: 2 euros. Another novelty is the way to event organization, which the Silves Chamber handed over, by protocol, to the Viv'Arte Theater Company – Historical Recreation Laboratory, an association that was already responsible for much of the fair's entertainment.
Among what's new, highlight is the fact that the medieval tournament will now have two editions daily – at 20:00 and 22:30.
Only in this way, the organization hopes that no one is left out and that everyone, sitting in the approximately 900 marked places in the space of the playhouse, which was built to live up to the time, can enjoy unique moments, in which various knights, Arabs and Christians, face each other fiercely.
The fights, with different themes, on the same day, are interrupted by moments where arts such as falconry, juggling, the handling of flags or, simply, humor, with the presence of fools, punctuate.
Thus, at 20:00 pm, the story will be “Evidence of brave dexterity and fierce battles between the knights of Allah for the honor of showing their loyalty to Isa Ibn Abi Hafs Ibn Alli, governor of Silves”.
At 22:30 pm, the story will be that of “Crusader knights and knights of D. Sancho I will fight among themselves for the sacking of the castle, placing bets and claiming rights”.
In the 2012 edition, the general theme of the fair is the second take of Silves to the Moors, on September 3, 1189. On that date, and after fierce fighting, Arab governor Ibn Ali, pressured by the population, ended up handing over the city and his castle to the Christian king.
The historical recreation of these moments will cross the entire fair, taking Silves and his visitors back twelve centuries.
Medieval streets in Silves turned into a souk
For nine days, the narrow streets that connect the river to the Cathedral and the Castle will be transformed into a true Arab market, a souk, where snake charmers, jugglers, acrobats, musicians and lots and lots of entertainment will not be lacking.
There will also be, as usual, numerous places to fill your stomach, with more or less medieval snacks, such as roasted meats, accompanied by wine or beer, all served in an earthenware mug. But there is a lot to eat and many places to eat.
And there is one thing that visitors have to try, to fully immerse themselves in the spirit of the fair: dressing up in medieval, Arab or Christian costumes. To do this, they should go to the dressing room and choose the outfit that suits them best.
Those who really want to immerse themselves in a deep Medieval Experience will have to shell out 30 euros, but they allow access to the entrance, to the costume, to the Weapons Tournament on Horseback at Liça, to the Banquet at Palácio das Varandas, and even to the Theater of Conquest of the City by the Christians in 1189 – The taking of the Alcáçova.
The organization intends to provide, through this type of visit to the event, a unique experience, which will offer participants the opportunity to actively participate in this historical recreation, embodying and experiencing the daily life of a noble character.
This is an invitation to live these festivities with all the emotion and nobility, enjoying, in a privileged way, the sensations provided by theatre, music, delicacies and aromas characteristic of this golden age of the capital of the kingdom of the Algarve.
The “Medieval Experiences” are an exclusive way to experience the most memorable moments of this trip, which will certainly remain in the memory of our guests.
Children's xilb is new for children
What about children? There is also a space to think about them. By the way, the creation of a playful space for children is one of the novelties of the IX Medieval Fair in Silves. It will be called “Xilb dos Pequenos”, recalling the Arabic word that gave rise to the name of the city.
In this space, which will be dynamized by technicians from the Division of Historical-Archaeological Heritage and Museums and by the People's House of São Bartolomeu de Messines, children between 6 and 14 years old will be able to stay for a time limit of 1h30, performing various activities, appropriate for this age group.
What is written and described here is just a small part of everything that awaits visitors at the Silves Medieval Fair, which, from tomorrow, the 28th, until August 5th, will open its doors to a world enchanted and for a true journey in time.
Photos of: Elisabete Rodrigues (2011 edition of the Medieval Fair of Silves)
Comments