Medieval Market

I went to my first and only Renaissance Fair when I was going to school in Texas, but I understand that it was fairly typical: the fair had nothing to do with the Renaissance and everything to do with entertainment, with actors up as anything from Medieval wenches and 10th century Vikings to 18th century pirates and princesses, with a healthy sprinkling of fairy wings and chain-mail bikinis, too.  I did my best to embrace it all with my friends and my tankard and my turkey leg.  But I left feeling unsettled because I'd spent a long time watching the children of the permanent festival workers: grubby, uneducated little ones who clearly believed that "prithee" and "thou" are actually parts of the working English language. There's a documentary in there, somewhere.

These Renaissance Fairs are American inventions, but they've started popping up in Europe as well, particularly in Germany.  When I heard that there was going to be a little Medieval Fair here in Zürich this weekend, I was curious to see how a country that that actually existed during the Middle Ages might handle such a festival.

The fair was going to be held in the tiny square next to Fraumünster Church, and it looked like it was going to be crowded on those cobblestones, so I waited until Joey fell asleep for his nap and took just Ella and Alex with me. I don't usually go anywhere with just the big kids, and, I have to say, it was a delight.

We took our time walking to the church, stopping whenever the kids saw something interesting.

Ella: "That must be a church.  That's the kind
of statue they love at churches."

Window-shopping, gazing at crystal balls

Pausing at the river to look for fish

Really, the Festival was a teensy version of the American Ren Fests, (fairies, bustiers, and all) although it had the benefit of being surrounded by beautiful old buildings.  Ella didn't like all of the smoky cooking that was going on, but once we got past the grills, the kids had a fun time walking around.

Sternewerfen (star casting)

They had many games for the kids, and I gave Ella and Alex each five francs to use how they would.  Alex chose a game where he got to chuck throwing stars at a target (which, of course, brought to mind a certain South Park episode).  The worker was really nice to Alex and patiently helped him with his aim and, in the end, gave him a "magic stone" (a little tumbled rock) for his unsuccessful but valiant efforts.

Ella, wisely, decided to save her francs for the future, but had a great time looking at all of the vendor booths, imagining what her riches could possibly buy.

Hand-powered Ferris Wheel that the kids decided to skip
because of the long, long lines. But still: hand-powered
Ferris Wheel!

Blacksmith booth, were six-year-olds were suited up to hit
at glowing hot, fresh-from-the-forge, metal.  Seriously! We
skipped that, too.

We only spent about a half-hour at the festival: the skies were starting to darken, and then thunder started echoing off the buildings.

Even though we made a hasty retreat, we were caught in the rain, and, honestly, I'm glad. The kids had a great time huddling under an awning and then, when it lightened a little, dashing from stoop to stoop down Bahnhopfstraße, "making a break for it!"

Not a bad way to spend a rainy Sunday afternoon.