The unique event, Jorvik Viking Festival, will be held from 20th to 26th February of next year, for which planning has started. The highlights have been unveiled for the festival that is part of the build-up to the re-opening of the Jorvik Viking Centre in York, England, planned on 8th April 2017. Taking inspiration from the last days of King Eric Bloodaxe’s reign, festival programmers have created visitor attractions set to AD 960.
The director of attractions, Sarah Maltby, said the logo for the festival has been King Eric’s face for decades, but this year they will bid a fond farewell to it. Festival visitors will see the flaming funeral pyre of Eric at the finale and will be joining the king on his last campaign at the Battle Feast, or in the Strongest-Viking Competition. Viking warriors will be placed in that week at the Coppergate Centre.
On the 25th February free event we will see the traditional march take place through the streets and some events have been relocated. Nicola Harkess the coordinator of the festival said they would be bringing back to Coppergte the Strongman Competition, and will stage outside Jorvik in the square, the popular competition ‘Best Beard’. A Yurt alongside two Viking trading ships will go up for exhibition in Parliament Street. Archery and sword fight sessions for kids will be hosted at another marquee on St. Sampson’s Square. More information on the website- jorvikvikingfestival.co.uk.
