Quirky Festivals
Swedish Crayfish party August to mid-september Considered the ‘most Scandi of Scandi parties’, the Crayfish party – or ‘Kräftskiva’ – is a traditional Swedish festival to mark the end of summer. The Swedes are wild about crayfish and source the delicacies from China, Turkey and the US, though these imports never quite match up to the Swedish variety. The parties are held in people’s homes with great platters brimming with the glowing red crustaceans, and garnished with flecks of green dill. The creatures are nocturnal, and should be caught in the night and then cooked in brine for the best results. The crayfish is sloshed down with Aquavit and served with Västerbotten cheese and crispbread. visitsweden.com/crayfish-party/
Canterbury Hop Hoodening Day Festival Saturday 8th September, at 10.30am What better way to spend a September Saturday than merrymaking in Canterbury Cathedral in celebration of the hop harvest? The annual Hop Hoodening festival is the Kentish harvest festival – and into its 70th year. Morris dancers meet with a Hooden Horse – the traditional hobbyhorse with the snapping jaws – and jig before the altar as hymns are sung. The Hop Queen arrives in the nave of the cathedral decadently clad in a bower of hop-bines. Once the service is done, there’s more dancing to follow. Well worth a visit. www.canterbury-cathedral.org/ whats-on/event/hop-hoodening-2/
Also Festival 29th June to 1st July This little-known Warwickshire festival has been listed in the ‘top five for the mind’ by the Guardian, and ‘as a place to revel in nature and discuss the big ideas’ by the Independent. Now it’s time for Oldie readers to see for themselves. It’s putting on a whole range of talks from ‘Effective Altruism’ to why ‘Geography has all the Answers’. There are workshops on ‘Memory improvement’ with ‘the grand master of memory’, Michael Channon. For those who are gastronomically motivated, there is a Balearic brunch plus a Levantine feast. Pop along for the day or stay in a luxury bell tent or campervan. www.also-festival.com