The Festival of Culture and Life
In the town of Fayspell in the nation of Eglana, every summer is the Festival of Culture and Life. People from all over the land and elsewhere gather for a week-long celebration of art and entertainment.
The Monarch opens the festival every day to officially kick things off. When the cannon fires and the city gates open, visitors see the town fully decked out. Shops carrying jewelry, clothing, weaponry, enchanted items of all kinds, art, literature, and more are everywhere. Stages are set up for musicians, acrobats, and other performers. There are food stalls, games of skill and chance, and even a sports arena where a joust is held.
The festival serves 3 purposes. 1) to highlight the artists and entertainers of Eglana 2) it's a reason to have a massive summer celebration, and 3) to honor Kiara, goddess of the arts. Kiara's temple sponsors and organizes the festival each year and her devotees hold ceremonies to praise the goddess and ask for her continued favor.
One highlight of the festival is the joust tournament. It has become so popular that the city planners have had to expand the arena twice over the years to fit the growing crowd. There is the royal box for the monarch, nobility, and special guests to sit under an awning in case of rain. While there are stands for the common people. But, even these seats are well built and comfortable. Just not covered.
Another big event is the Audience with the Monarch. Held in the Chapel of Song, the sitting monarch presides to hear petitions and grand honors and favors. This is held each afternoon after the joust. And, to keep everyone from being there all day, it is by reservation only with a strict time limit.
The highlight comes on the final day with a series of competitions artists can enter based on their medium/media of choice. People may vote on the best painting, poem, musician, dance act, or jewelry piece and the winners are given a trophy and a large money prize.
Once the awards are handed out, there is a huge celebration to close the festival with feasting, drinks, and dancing.
When everyone has returned home, and about a month has passed for rest and recovery, planning begins for next year.
The Monarch opens the festival every day to officially kick things off. When the cannon fires and the city gates open, visitors see the town fully decked out. Shops carrying jewelry, clothing, weaponry, enchanted items of all kinds, art, literature, and more are everywhere. Stages are set up for musicians, acrobats, and other performers. There are food stalls, games of skill and chance, and even a sports arena where a joust is held.
The festival serves 3 purposes. 1) to highlight the artists and entertainers of Eglana 2) it's a reason to have a massive summer celebration, and 3) to honor Kiara, goddess of the arts. Kiara's temple sponsors and organizes the festival each year and her devotees hold ceremonies to praise the goddess and ask for her continued favor.
One highlight of the festival is the joust tournament. It has become so popular that the city planners have had to expand the arena twice over the years to fit the growing crowd. There is the royal box for the monarch, nobility, and special guests to sit under an awning in case of rain. While there are stands for the common people. But, even these seats are well built and comfortable. Just not covered.
Another big event is the Audience with the Monarch. Held in the Chapel of Song, the sitting monarch presides to hear petitions and grand honors and favors. This is held each afternoon after the joust. And, to keep everyone from being there all day, it is by reservation only with a strict time limit.
The highlight comes on the final day with a series of competitions artists can enter based on their medium/media of choice. People may vote on the best painting, poem, musician, dance act, or jewelry piece and the winners are given a trophy and a large money prize.
Once the awards are handed out, there is a huge celebration to close the festival with feasting, drinks, and dancing.
When everyone has returned home, and about a month has passed for rest and recovery, planning begins for next year.
History
This festival has been in place for about 800 years. It started small, just something put on by the temple of Kiara and then eventually expanded into one of the most popular and influential festivals in the country.
Fayspell is a large artist community so it was only natural that they would get involved. Eventually, word spread and it became a big event with the sitting monarch coming to attend as part of their summer progress.
Winners of the artist competition are also a given a chance to take up residence as part of the royal court for a year.
Fayspell is a large artist community so it was only natural that they would get involved. Eventually, word spread and it became a big event with the sitting monarch coming to attend as part of their summer progress.
Winners of the artist competition are also a given a chance to take up residence as part of the royal court for a year.
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"When the cannon fires and the city gates open, visitors see the town fully decked out." Now that's the only correct way to start any festival. Nicely done!