Kaltenberg knight tournament starts on July 10th with 2000 participants
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The largest medieval festival in the world opens again at Kaltenberg Castle. For the show, the entire floor and drainage in the arena were replaced.
Kaltenberg – The organizers of the big medieval spectacle don’t have much time to breathe. True to the motto “After the tournament is before the tournament”, planning for the event the following year begins immediately after the last weekend of the tournament. “The rough framework conditions for the upcoming show will be discussed on the final weekend,” reports press spokesman Markus Wiegand. Advance ticket sales open at the same time. “So that the fans can look forward to the next festival early.”
300 people take part in the production
The highlight is undoubtedly the big knight’s tournament show, which always fascinates visitors with lots of pyrotechnics, lighting and other effects. Every year a new story is told. This year it is that of young Albrecht, the “son of the black knight”, who has a dark family secret. The basic features of the script will be determined by Christmas and will be worked out down to the last detail in the following months, explains Wiegand. Around 300 people work on the entire production – actors, technicians, riders, extras and the entire creative team.
Rehearsals begin in April. Two weeks before the premiere – this year it is on July 11th – this intensifies into full operation. The area must be prepared beforehand. Usually as soon as the ground has thawed. This year the effort was particularly great, says Wiegand. The entire floor and drainage in the arena have been replaced. This means the knights can ride their jousts (lance joustings) safely in any weather, explains Wiegand.
40 hours of entertainment per day
The secret stars of the show are the horses from the French stunt group Cavalcade. They arrive in Kaltenberg around two and a half weeks before the premiere. The fiery Spaniards keep a cool head even in difficult situations: regardless of whether meter-high flames are blazing in front of them or neck-breaking stunts are being performed on their backs.
Traditionally, the Kaltenberg knights’ tournament starts with the jugglers’ night on Friday evening. The extensive castle area is transformed into a fascinating medieval world full of wonders. Artists, fire artists, comedians and musicians perform until late into the night on five live stages and in the arena. A special highlight this year is the performance of Compagnie Alagos, a medieval circus cabaret group from France.
But there is also a colorful program on the five live stages during the tournament days. “If you add everything up, that’s over 40 hours of entertainment every day,” says Wiegand. For example, the legends of medieval music Corvus Corax can be experienced on the Rabenbühne. The audience favorites Tanzwut and Koenix are also doing the honors in Kaltenberg this year.
But there is also a lot to experience on the streets and paths as well as in the medieval camps. Over 100 market stalls invite you to stroll and marvel. Medieval crafts are also shown. Visitors can satisfy their hunger and thirst at 50 food stalls – from medieval taverns and taverns to specialized offerings.
The Kaltenberg knight tournament lasts three weekends. All in all, 2,000 people are deployed for this, 150 of them in security, usher service and parking lot management – so that everything runs smoothly and visitors can immerse themselves in the world of the Middle Ages.
Further information about the program, arrival and tickets can be found at ritterturnier.de.