Category: Event

And the sign said “Welcome B(l)ack”

Has it really been three years since we last cavorted on a field not of these sceptred shores? Had the travels there not been so dreadful, I may have forgotten these corona years had occurred as it felt like no time at all had passed once I was in the embrace of fun, frivolity, friends and fine music.

Driving through the cotswolds you’d be forgiven for thinking you have fallen into some chocolate box faery realm, but that’s just on a normal day. Last weekend the fae folk flocked, swarmed and pirouetted amidst the beautiful grounds of Studley Castle nestled in the cotswolds hills near the Medieval market town of Winchcombe. Steeped in history this beautiful estate even has Tudor Queen Catherine Parr buried in its grounds. This provided the stunning backdrop to the wonderful creatures of the Fantasy Forest Festival.

M’era Luna has always been about the people for me, and this year was no exception. Echoing the sentiment I hear over and over again from each festival goer I encounter: we are here to see old friends, make new ones and strengthen connections made over time and tide. But what makes this festival different from others is that this sentiment is not just shared amongst those on the ground but through the bands that play and into the festival organisation.

I’m still revelling in the memories of yet another merry Mera Luna, paging through the photos that keep popping up on Instagram and Facebook and making exchanges with new friends and old. This year was particularly special, not only did I get to meet the utterly exquisite Obsidian Kerttu and Valentin van Porcelaine whose photos I’ve admired from afar, but was also great to meet Elisanth for the first time and see La Esmeralda again (which makes a pretty full compliment of the lovely faces which grace your Alchemy catalogue). It’s always so touching when the people behind the beautiful imagery seem just as beautiful on the inside.

A few weeks have now passed since we were sat in a field beneath a beautiful full moon, chatting and drinking with good friends in a field of a thousand more friends still unmet…

I have had a most rare vision. I have had a dream past the wit of man to say what dream it was. A ball, with masqued creatures swirling to a concoction of dark sounds, drunk with music and wine. Yes there was much wine and food for the soul – three courses bursting forth beneath candelabra on white linen which highlighted the sea of black and glittering attire that consumed.

Apart from our rather adventurous route getting in and out of Brussels and the inability to say nor spell Coalescaremonium – it’s an event I thoroughly enjoyed and now plan to try and make it an annual pilgrimage.

Although I have been to many German festivals before, this was the first time I sampled M’era Luna. Just a half hour from Hannover, this festival has been going since 2000 in its current incarnation (FKP Scorpio, the organsing body, previously ran this festival in conjunction with Zillo magazine, and decided to keep it on under the flag “M’era Luna” after the cooperation ended in 1999 – you can read my interview with the organisers here). Based at what appears to be a disused airport in Hildesheim, just a half hour from Hannover, it’s a relatively easy journey from the UK – although does
involve a train and bus from the Hannover airport. Another, slightly more fun option, would be to join the annual “Goths on a Bus” tour! Picking up from various spots around England and ferrying the black clad masses across the channel, ensures you’ll arrive ready for the party with your fellow goth horde. (see the facebook group to find out about next year’s trip)