Free State of Stellingen Festival Appelscha

17 September 2023

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Basic Information

When: 17 September 2023

Where: Appelscha, Netherlands

Map: Appelscha on Google Maps

Festival Website: vrijstaatdestellingen.nl

Hotels: Hotels in Appelscha

picture © https://vrijstaatdestellingen.nl

Medieval Fair 2023

On September 17, 2023, the Stellingen Festival will again occur at the Boerestreek in Appelscha as a Medieval Fair.

You can also experience the turbulent times of the Middle Ages this time.

Everyone can participate in blacksmithing, archery, leatherworking, spinning, woodcarving and many other skills, such as old Dutch games and the rope knot.

Fires are burning everywhere, and strange guys like the Beu, witches, jesters and eccentric magicians are around.

The Vrijstatig Volkje also plays, jokes and dances happily again!

And it is lovely to enjoy medieval snacks and drinks.

Free State of Stellingen Festival, Appelscha

This charming festival was reclaimed when the municipality of Ooststellingwerf existed as a Free Nation from 1300 to 1500.

Denizens were conferred the unusual position of not having to serve a duke or king.

Instead, “directors” were chosen from the region’s villages to administer things.

The first festival was in 2017

In 2017 it was marking the 500 anniversary of Ooststellingwerf as a state – with a Medieval party on the streets of the northern town of Appelscha featuring encampments, archers, street acts, music and special Medieval treats.

Food & Drink, Music and Entertainments

For two days, participants are taken back 500 years years to celebrate the old Free State in the northern part of Netherlands.

The area is located in the province known as Friesland.

The 2017 festival included presidential elections where only the children voted!

As a result, Tibbe the Cat was bestowed the honour.

The other candidates? Tabby the horse and Bo the dog.

Children are also given a history lesson about the times in which people lived with a special music program that blends past facts with folk music.

While hewing to the specific facets of its history, this festival has a light, tongue-in-cheek quality.

For Your Enjoyment

Organisers strive to minimise waste — which is actually in keeping with present times.

All food and drinks are local and organic.

Beer is also ‘pure’ and without chemicals. Drinks are served in glass jars or recycled containers, while all libations and edibles are paid with unique free state coins, which you purchase.

Musicians only play acoustic instruments, and decorations are from second-hand materials or are biodegradable.