Renaissance Fair, Dance Fest and Iranian demonstration

After our last session at the Nobel Peace Center, we had a free afternoon.  Signs around the city noted that it was a Art Festival weekend, but we weren't quite sure what that would look like on the streets.  I decided just to wander, but didn't have to go far to discover some entertainment.

Just outside the Nobel Center, by one of the museums, there was a dance troupe performing a very contemporary dance with live musicians. There were young and old dancers and the musicians appeared to be a military ensemble of some kind.  The music was woodwinds, a few brass, and a marimba without any apparent tune.  I watched for over 20 minutes and it continued that whole time.  They dancers would move individually, but sometimes in pairs.  They would making a sweeping motion or strike a particular pose repeatedly, then move to another place on the square and strike a different pose.  There was clearly meaning behind the movements and poses, but I was confounded about what the larger meaning behind the performance was.  It was quite intriguing. 

I pulled myself away and just on the other side of the Nobel Center was an Iranian demonstration. 

The Iranian and Israeli flags together was quite a sight to see.  

There were a good number of Iranians there.  I have no idea how many are residents in Norway. 

This crowd was against the current Iranian regime. Pahlavi is the royal family with the father that was ousted with the 1979 revolution.  The son Reza Pahlavi is a polarizing figure, but often invoked in anti-regime demonstrations. 

I wandered along the waterfront wanting to see the fortress on the point.  I walked below it and then found a path up toward the backside.  I was surprised to discover a renaissance festival in full swing and had to explore!

Many people were dressed up. But I didn't stick out too much.

This looked so hot.

A tent full of chess players

A toddler jousting horse.  It slid on the tracks and they got to aim for the target with a broom stick.

A field full of big and little kids chasing each other with swords. 

It was in the fortress grounds.

Some people clearly got to set up tents and camp.  They had iron braziers for cooking. (I liked the added pride flags).

The best part of the festival were these musicians I ran into.  They were great and had the crowd clapping and stomping along in no time. 

It was fun to watch the children who were right up front.

Ended the fest with a candied apple (it has a creme brulee-like hard candy coating with cinamon and sugar on top. yum!