A Wet Whitsun Weekend at the Medieval Market and at Classics in the Park.

The blacksmith and his assistant, dressed in medieval costumes,  forge various metal objects over a flame generated by big, foot operated bellows.  I do like the heavy wooden clogs, and the whole atmosphare in this little corner looked very authentic

 

Each year from Whitsaturday to Whitmonday a medieval market takes place in the Burgplatz near the cathedral.  I have always wanted to visit it, but the weather is always atrocious.  The last time I was here in May it rained and blew a gale of wind, and it did the same this weekend. To make matters worse, it was bitterly cold too.   I was eventually able to take these photos on Whitmonday, when on my way to meet M & R for an asparagus lunch and afterwards a visit to the Burgerpark to listen to "Classics in the Park."

 

A view towards the Burgplatz through the arched corridor that connects Henry the Lion's Palace to the Cathedral.  Seems he didn't like getting wet either.   This  building was badly damaged in the war, and has since been authentically restored. 

 

The blue tent to the right was for the soothsayer, who didn't seem to have a lot of soothsaying to do in the gloom.   I'm assuming she had predicted in advance the damp conditions, and arrived suitably clad in thick medieval sackcloth underwear, woollen petticoats and thick knitted socks and winter clogs.

 

Another view of Henry the Lion's Palace.

A rather quaint medieval wooden merry go round for the children can be seen in the left foreground.  It was built with odd bits of wood, cobbled together with assorted lengths of string and bits of rope, and it reminded me of the street cars my sister and I made out of old pram wheels and dad's leftover bean poles, way back in the 1950s.

Looking damp and feeling forlorn at Classics in the Park.

 

I have been to the Classics here on several occasions, and always in bright, hot sunshine.  This Monday was a different kettle of fish, and such a shame for all concerned.  We arrived later than usual, and could not go into the main arena because, contrary to what we had expected in gloomy weather, so many people had arrived to listen to the music.

 

We were directed to another area, and watched the concert, performed by the Braunschweig Theatre Orchestra and Chorus, on a big screen.  They played popular music from the opera, and many other well known songs, including "Berlin Air," a song close to the hearts to those from that city.   M & R had kindly brought their garden chairs along, so we were able to sit comfortably with coats over our legs, and nibbling too many German nibbles  A good afternoon was had by all, including M's little 10 month old granddaughter, who slept through the first half, and then woke up and wondered where on earth she was!

 

The Big Screen with three soloists singing merrily away.

 

This is called, "Das Public Viewing" in German, and I am very pleased that German incorporates so may English words in its vocabulary, which tend to be neuter nouns.  I am reliably informed that "Public Viewing" in the USA has a totally different meaning!