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Lesson Transcript

Hello, and welcome to the Culture Class- Holidays in Norway Series at NorwegianClass101.com. In this series, we’re exploring the traditions behind Norwegian holidays and observances. I’m Michael, and you're listening to Season 1, Lesson 23 Medieval Festival. In Norwegian, it’s called middelalderfestival.
When summer approaches, a number of medieval festivals start popping up all over Norway. Many Norwegians think these little festivals are fun because they allow us a glimpse of how life in Norway was during medieval times.
In this lesson we will take a closer look at Norwegian medieval festivals.
Now, before we get into more detail, do you know the answer to this question-
What do you think is the goal of most medieval festivals?
If you don't already know, you’ll find out a bit later. Keep listening.
One of the most well-known medieval festivals in Norway is the Oslo Medieval festival. Medieval themed markets are set up along with concerts, shows, and various games, and food and drink is served in characteristic medieval style. The festival’s biggest highlight, especially for children, is usually the longsword tournament, which in Norwegian is called langsverdturnering. In these competitions, knights, or riddere, ride against each other with their long swords, just like in old times!
Other popular activities for children include princess, or prinsesse, and knight school. Here kids learn about how it was to be royalty, or kongelig, during medieval times, and they get to experience being royalty for a short time themselves. The State Theater also performs a musical with a bit of black humor about the Black Death that rampaged through Europe in 1349.
Another well-known medieval festival is the Tønsberg Medieval festival held at Slottsfjellet, a mountain with a tower at the top in the middle of the city. At this festival there are also markets, concerts, tournaments, and many other activities aimed at youth and adults alike.
Tønsberg is actually Norway’s oldest city, making it the perfect location to host a medieval festival. At the top of Slottsfjellet there are ruins, or ruiner, from the city’s heyday in the eleventh century, which are still quite popular amongst tourists.
Now it's time to answer our quiz question-
What do you think is the goal of most medieval festivals?
The medieval festivals are not only held for fun and games. They’re also held to give people knowledge of and lessons about Norwegian history and culture during medieval times. There’s no better way to learn about history than to be part of the history itself!
So listeners, what did you think of this lesson? Did you learn anything interesting?
Do you have a medieval festival in your country?
Leave us your comments at NorwegianClass101.com, and we'll see you in the next lesson.

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