After two years of absence, the event will finally celebrate its 20th edition on July 9 and 10. On this occasion, all the Friends of the Château de Montaner have set up an exceptional program with no less than 300 artists, epic reconstructions and a burning of the tower of Fébus whose survival is partly ensured by these Medieval.
In Montaner, at the foot of the Château de Montaner, history is still lived in the present. And it was not the two years when time stood still that undermined the dynamism of the Friends of the Château. The association, which works to save this 14th century fortress, dear to Gaston Fébus, therefore did not hesitate to get back in the saddle to celebrate, finally, the 20th edition of the Medieval. An anniversary celebrated with great fanfare since all the troupes and shows initially planned have all been renewed for this weekend. “But we will have additional ones, discovered during the Fou d’Histoire fair in Paris, rejoices Alban Lagahe, the president of the association. We will therefore have an enriched program over these two days and punctuated each evening by a pyrotechnic show. The first Saturday directed by Michel Murcia. The second Sunday evening with the school of fire Imaziren who will present an 80-minute show.”
After having capsized the Medieval in 2015 with the Army of the Moors, Imaziren intends to do it again this Sunday evening. / Photo J. Coelho
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Something to light up the night and the Château de Montaner which will also vibrate during the day. “From 10:30 am to midnight, on the plain, the forest and the castle, there is always something to see”, enthuses Alban Lagahe. Whether it’s the camps of medieval, Viking or Crusader companies, the various crafts, the medieval market, epic re-enactments (chivalry tournament, jousting, re-enactment of battles with the capture of ramparts, falconry, wanderings of fantastic characters… .). In total, about fifteen troupes and no less than ten association camps, i.e. 300 artists, will populate the surroundings of the castle. “Even if for two years, seeing this empty space was like a form of mourning, the partner associations are always there, ready to do new things. Moreover, work has been carried out during these two years, with a new hut in the forest. It’s a real logistics. We take care of all the details. It’s an exceptional but ephemeral celebration. We never projected ourselves beyond succeeding in what we were undertaking.”
Fantastic characters will wander through the forest.
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A way of living the present moment in times of the past, guaranteeing the success of these Medieval events which attract tens of thousands of people each year and thus make it possible to safeguard this part of local history. The proof this year with this scaffolding which encircles the medieval enclosure. “It does mean that we are not abandoning the castle. It will not prevent entertainment. It is the concrete translation that the Medievals have revitalized this site by financing in particular a weapons room, a banquet room with tapestries, the making of a film and other elements.” A valuable competition so that history can still be lived in the present tomorrow.
On the plain, in the middle of historic camps, there is always something to see. / Photo DR
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The Medieval will go back in time this weekend. / Photo archives L. Dard
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