24/08/03 — Menuo Juodaragis: Kernave, Lithuania
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| ^^ I wander the site somewhat awe-struck. In the middle of the field is the campsite of medieval re-enactors. | ^^ And, yes, for those of you that know such things, some of them seem somewhat confused about the region they're in. |
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| ^^ Huts have been built to hold lectures on fairy tales and ancient magics, herbal medicines and myth cycles... | ^^ ...video installations and industrial artworks; spaces to work rituals and drum. |
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| ^^ I read my little program and check out the names of groups and their descriptions. Sounds like I've missed some very cool stuff on the Friday but there's heaps still to come. | ^^ There are rune markers planted in the ground, stark against sky and forest. |
I mosey down to the place where they sell CDs from
a tent and note one that I think would make a good
present for someone: it's called Quark Gluon Plasma
and is described as tribal trance experimental in the
booklet. The woman tells me that if I want it signed,
the guy jumping up and down over there is Trolis, the
artist. I walk over to him. He is tall, with long golden
hair, loose with occasional random plaits, wearing
a green smock dress thing, smiling beatifically. I
introduce myself. He signs my CD. We talk. He shows
me jewellery he makes and explains that the symbol
of the man with the sun in his belly is from a 4000
year old scandinavian cave painting. I think I'm falling
in love. There is that strange closeness, slightly
awkward. I keep smiling insanely. So does he. He asks
whether I've seen the ancient hill fort in Kernave.
He tells me I have to see it before I go, it's an ancient
place of power. I should have said: I'd love to see
it, will you take me there? But I can't help feeling
I'm intruding: he's in five different bands here, all
his friends are here, surely I'm keeping him from something?
Like a fool, I excuse myself, tell him I'll catch up
with him later, that I'll be at the gig of his band,
Siela. His real name is Evaldas Babenskas. I get his phone number
and e-mail, give him mine. (Click the photo for a bigger pic of him)
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| ^^ In the afternoon, there are folk singers and groups from all over: Osimira from Belarus… | ^^ …Visi Veji (All Winds) from Latvia (above), Kulgrinda from Lithuania, extraordinary voices, amazing instruments. |
The re-enactors are hitting each other with swords
in the middle of the field in the pouring rain. At
least that's authentic! I shelter in the ancient crafts
tent and see stunning brass torcs and cloak pins. I
buy two spiral-ended pins that would be linked with
three chains across the chest of a traditional 11th
century Baltic outfit, just like I saw in the Museum
of the History of Latvia.
As the day wears on, there is Henry's girlfriend, Dj
Chimera, spinning just the sort of darkwave electrogoth
that I love. I'm in heaven. As darkness falls, brands
Almost 8. Time to wander back to the main stage for
Siela. Front row. Evaldas is unbelievable sexy, having
changed into long black leather pants. I am turning
into a sad fangirl. The music is great too.
Afterwards, I go round the side of the stage, but I
stumble when I talk with him and end up sounding like
an idiot. He leaves to pack up stuff. In another hour,
he will be on stage again with his gothmetal band,
Obtest. He's changed again, now wearing medieval gear.
Sigh. I try to catch him after this gig, but he's nowhere
to be seen.