Midgardsblot “2018” – part one

Midgardsblot Metal Festival was fantastic, as always. I saw Garmarna and Dimmu Borgir and those are amongst my top ten favourite bands. The latter almost cost me my voice, sorry not sorry to those of you standing next to me during that concert. I met so many interesting, talented and kind hearted people, and I laughed more than I have done in months… Post festival blues are inevitable, wish the festival lasted a whole week. More photos to come!

Sól, The Viking Queen 

 

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Borrekapuangen ‘2018’, part two

 

This summer hit us northerners hard with its’ immense and unusual warmth. Borrekaupangen was filled with sweaty and drowsy vikings, and I felt a bit lightheaded myself. I wondered if it was ever this warm during the Viking Age, remembering a gist of something I read somewhere. As I strolled through the marketplace I though of what it was really like back then, in every way. There are so many questions and so few answers… The thought of living to see felt both stressful and calming at the same time. The more I thought of it, the weirder it got until I just had to lay it aside and do something grounding and physical, like squeezing my boyfriend’s hand (“hey, we’re here, right now”). You see, I can easily get tangled up in thought experiments, backtracking and overthinking. On one hand it feeds my creative processes, but if I feed it too much energy, it kills them. All of us have creation and destruction forces within us – order and chaos is completely normal, but normal is utterly surreal. Life is so strange and at times it feels as if everything is moving in circles. This train of thought came and went as I greeted friends at the marked and picked up shiny object to behold. So…what was it like during the Viking Age? We won’t know for sure, but somehow, I feel sure of this- There’s nothing new under the sun. The human race is not that innovative and my reoccurring thoughts are not that original, in any way. So…What is the moral of my random common sense life lesson? I hope the archeologists dig up more viking graves that will make us ask more questions. I want to know more, and I am sure you do too.

Sól, The Viking Queen

 

Borrekaupangen, Sudden photoshoot in front of The Gilde Hall

 

 

This Majestic Viking Hall is a reconstruction of a great mead hall from the Viking Age. Imprints of such halls were found in 2007 by archeologists, which strengthened Borre’s position as a centre of power, even before the Viking Age. Archaeological theories, and even the epic of Beowulf has been taken into account in the reconstruction- simply because we do not know what these halls looked like. This excites me the most about the viking age- the mystery and the art. On the exterior, shingles have been carefully laid and tarred, and Beautiful wood carvings adorn the upper walls and the entrance.

This is a popular spot to shoot photos for modern day vikings. After pillaging the market, I had to pose like the queen I am;) The viking garb is something I made a few years ago, and I made it according to the Oseberg style, a long train apron dress in diamond twill. The underdress is not based on archeological evidence – as it has no arms…! I know, shocking…. *rolls eyes* According to some russian women and…men(!!) on instagram I might as well be naked simply because I am showing my shoulders. Bahahah! I know ,what the actual fuck? On another note, I doubt that vikings covered up that much. They worshipped fertility gods and goddesses for fucks sake. Let’s take a moment to appreciate that<3

For more info about the Gilde Hall, click HERE

What is do you love the most about the Viking Age?

Sól, The Viking Queen 

 

Borrekaupangen ‘2018’ (part one)

Walking amongst The Borre Mounds is almost a religious experience to me. It always has been, and always will be. Borrekaupangen is the biggest, biannual viking market in Norway, and it is my favourite.  I had an amazing day filled with positive energies, hugs, friends, and beauty. Several blog readers came up to me to chat, I felt humbled and happy. Other vikings invited ut to stay to join the gilde, it felt as if they genuinely wanted us around, which was nice. We had to leave early but I swore to myself that next time, we will be staying for a whole week. I shot pictures, complimented the craftswomen – and men, and felt the sun warm my bare shoulders. Time stood still.

I bought some necessities, but the most important thing I brought home was warmth in my Heathen Heart. A feeling of belonging, a feeling of being Home. 

More pictures to come…

Sól, The Viking Queen

Gudvangen Viking Market “2017” (part two)

 

I didn’t realize how much I had missed the mighty mountains until I arrived at Gudvangen. Norwegian fjords and mountains makes me feel more centered, more alive. There was mead, there was laughter and there was ancient vibes. I met old, yet new friends (if that makes any sense). This was the beginning of my western Norwegian road trip, and as I am writing this, there are still more viking markets to go. Still, I wish the season was longer.. because meeting likeminded souls is a rare thing…even amongst likeminded people.

Sól Geirsdóttir, The Viking Queen

Gudvangen Viking Market ‘2017’ (part one)

Dear followers, it has been a while – but you have been in my thoughts. I have been doing so many exciting things lately, both here in my beloved country and in the US (which some of you might know a little something about already;) This viking Gal have been constantly on the move the past few months, and my feet have barely touched my own home since I moved in. Gudvangen Viking Market was the highlight of this summers Viking adventures. The last time I visited Gudvangen was four years ago (!) and what they have accomplished over there blew me away. I love the atmosphere, and people were including and warm. In a bit of a rush here – but I have so many pictures – stay tuned for much more from this place in the coming days.

– Sól Geirsdóttir, The Viking Queen

Viking/medieval Markets of Norway, 2017

 Here is a list of all the viking and medieval markets that I (and google + facebook) know of in Norway, 2017. I doubt that I will be able to make it to markets in other countries than my own this year (due to a -for now- secret project that will require a lot of time and some traveling). If you know of more markets, please let me know in the comments below:)

*Oh – The Sól rune ( ᛋ )  means that I shall attend that market/festival *

May
19th-21st Vikingting at Tingvatn  (Tingvatn fornminnepark og besøkssenter, Vest-Agder)
26th-28th Oslo Medieval Festival (Akershus Festning, Oslo) ᛋ

June
2nd-4th Tønsberg Medieval Festival (Tønsberg, Vestfold) ᛋ
2nd-4th Bjørgvin Marknad (Hordnesvegen 24, Bergen, Hordaland)
3rd-4th Viking Market at Leikvin (Sunndal Bygdemuseum, Sunndal, Møre og Romsdal)
8th-11th Vikingfestivalen Avdalsnes (Avdalsnes, Rogaland)
9th-11th Hamar Medieval Festival (Strandvegen 100, Hamar, Hedmark)
16th-18th Hafrsfjordkaupangen (Møllebukta, Stavanger, Rogaland)

July
1st-2nd Midgard Viking Festival (Midgard Historiske senter, Horten, Vestfold) ᛋ
3rd-9th Bronseplassen Viking Market (Bronseplassen, Høvåg, Aust-Agder) ᛋ
18th-23rd Gudvangen Viking Market  (Gudvangen, Sogn og Fjordane) ᛋ
24th-30th Oslodagene at Stiklestad (Leksdalsveien 1, Verdalsøra, Nord-Trøndelag)

August
9th-13th Lofotr Viking Festival (Lofotr Viking Museum, Bøstad, Nordland)
12th-13th Viking Festival at Osen Gard (Bygstad, Sogn og Fjordane)
17th-19th Midgardsblot (Open-Air Festival (Borre, Vestfold) ᛋ
25th-27th Askøy Viking Market (Herdla Fort, Askøy, Hordaland)
27th-28th Viking Festival at Landa Park (Camping Landa Lysefjord Cafe, Kulturhus, Øvre Espedal, Rogaland)
26th-27th Hove Viking Market (Hove, Tromøya, Aust-Agder) ᛋ
28th Drafn Viking Market at Elvefestivalen (Drammen Elvefestival, Buskerud)

September
2nd-3rd Gjallarstadir Viking Market (Nebbursvollen Friluftsbad, Badeveien , Lillestrøm, Akershus) ᛋ
8th-10th Tønsberg Viking Festival (Tønsberg, Vestfold) ᛋ

– Sól, The Viking Queen 

 

Daydreaming about the upcoming market season

My friends and I are currently planning the upcoming season – carefully choosing which markets to attend. Naturally, I would love to experience them all- but that is simply not possible. Though plans are still in the making – we do know one thing for sure; This summer shall be a celebration worthy of the gods and goddesses! I am really looking forward to the Medieval- and Viking Market season this year…So much that I find myself daydreaming about it on a daily basis. The smell of bonfire, late night shenanigans and mead drinking is so close that I can almost taste it. Sigh.. We’ll just have to wait a little longer. It shall be worth it, I can promise you that.

Which market(s) are you going to?

– Sól, The Viking Queen

The Gildehall at Borrehaugene, Norway

This is pretty much what my dream (long)house looks like. If I was filthy rich, I would build a reconstruction like this one right away! These photos were taken a few years ago, under the construction of the Gildehall in Horten. I was there long before they opened the Hall for the public eye and managed to snap these photos. I think it looked pretty amazing this way, as I am quite the fan of wood – but I must say that the blackish paint it sports now looks badass like Hel. I am going to Midgardblot this year too, and that will be a good chance to take quite a few photos of what it looks like these days. Photographing at the site will probably happen before that, though. My my iron horse (*cough* mercedes benz) and I frequently pass the area on our way to visit my parents and I often make a stop at Borrehaugene to breathe some norse vibes.

so tell me;
Are you going to Midgardsblot this year?

Sól Geirsdóttir, The Viking Queen

Borre Viking Market “2016” (part two)

This place – “Borrehaugene” or “Borre National Park” is peaceful and beautiful, and the meadowsweet is surrounding the viking burial mounds. If I were to describe what a Viking marked is like it would be something like this: A time travel full of vibrating energies, with the smell of bonfire smoke and the taste of salty meat. I need to build myself a throne and I felt very inspired when I saw this one. (Will obviously not copy it – who the f* does stuff like that anyways?) Laura Šmideberga is such a sweet, talented lady. She is glowing and her beads are so pretty. These beads are handmade by her. Love them all- especially the gold beads in the middleCasually chilling in front of a tent. Beholding Viking Bling blinds me and I need to sit down to collect myself whilst shopping ancient style. .

I believe that I have expressed my love for this Viking market before, but I am happy to do so again; Borre Viking Market in Horten, -Vestfold, Norway, is one of my favorite markets so far. This market is biannual, which means that the next Kaupang will be in “2018”.

(Websites connected to Borrehaugene:)
Midgard Historiske Senter
Borre Vikinglag

Still working out which markets to attend this summer.
Which one will you go to- What is your favorite market(s)?

– Sól Geirsdóttir, The Viking Queen