Where else could you find a proud Viking warrior next to an armored knight? A witch in a pointy hat with a caveman? Or an officer in Napoleon I’s army with a saloon keeper? At the 8th International Exhibition of Historical Spectacles History buffsAt Tiger of Margny-lès-CompiègneSaturday November 16 and Sunday November 17.
“From 2006 to 2015 we were based in Pontoise,” recalls its director Christophe Dargere. But the room having been demolished, we arrived at the Tigre. Where we have the headquarters of the association L’Histoire vivant.” Since then, the show has received more than ten thousand visitors.
“It’s an international historical show,” explains Christophe Dargere. A sort of Avignon Festival where professionals shop for events and shows rooted in history. The general public will benefit from it, as will event organizers (cities, festival committees, etc.). There is a strong playful side to this living room…”
Immersive shows
With 250 exhibitors and 17 others in the re-enactments, there is something for everyone. Some come from far away, from Hungary, Ukraine, Sweden… Among the periods which are on the rise, the medieval remains in the lead. “We also find some new things like a manufacturer of prehistoric flint knives or a company that has installed a Wild West wagon and offers Western skits.”
Let’s go open the doors of this saloon. The Armutan company was founded 18 years ago. “It offers five possible themes for immersive shows,” explains Julia Nestel, production manager. From the medieval camp of 1392 to the exploration voyage of 1930, including an oriental camp in Andalusia or the adventure of the shipwrecked people of the Inferi, the entertainment is intended to be fun.
The poker table is in front of the cart where the cards are spread out just waiting for the players. “And if there are cheaters, we respect the traditions with tar and feathers,” declares amused Marcel the bartender as he places his “six shots” on the counter. In addition to these skits, musical performances are also on the program as well as workshops for all audiences.
The organizers are already thinking about the edition of Les Fous d’Histoire. “It takes a year for that,” concludes Christophe Dargere. From this Monday, after the debriefing, we will mobilize with the six intermittent workers from the team show and the fifty volunteers from the association.
