Elfia
Elfia (previously Elf Fantasy Fair ) is an outdoor event that has been taking place in Haarzuilens every April since 2001 and in Arcen in the Netherlands since 2009 .
history
The entire event ( Event ) revolves around the theme of "Fantasy". Various fantasy stalls, fantasy activities and fantasy shows can be seen for two to three days on the grounds of a historical park or castle.
Guests such as well-known fantasy artists, fantasy authors and actors from fantasy films are also present. Many visitors, both children and adults, dress up as fantasy characters: characters from films, books or self-created characters. One of the traditional highlights of the event is a field battle between two groups.
The Elf Fantasy Fair was held for the first time in 2001 in the Archeon theme park in Alphen aan den Rijn . 7500 people came to see authors like Robert Jordan , Terry Pratchett and artists like Brian Froud .
In 2002 and 2003 the Elf Fantasy Fair was held on the extensive grounds of Kasteel de Haar in Haarzuilens, the Netherlands. In 2004 the Elf Fantasy Fair moved once to the large park area Keukenhof in Lisse , but in 2005 it returned to the grounds of Kasteel de Haar. The number of visitors has risen to 23,500 visitors over the years.
The idea for the Elf Fantasy Fair was developed in 2001 by organizer Stefan Struik and implemented directly. To this day it is still Struik who runs the organization. In addition to the Elf Fantasy Fair, Stefan Struik also managed four fantasy shops and a web shop. However, these have now been closed or sold, as Struik has decided to devote itself entirely to the Elf Fantasy Fair.
Since the success of the Elf Fantasy Fair, there have been other similar festivals in the Netherlands, such as the Castlefest at Keukenhof, the Midwinter Fair in Archeon and a second Elf Fantasy Fair in Arcen. After 2013 it will be called Elfia.
