Dickens fair Deventer

One of my new year resolutions is that I make this blog work. And I would love to report about events here in the Netherlands but also in other places in Europe. A few days ago the Dickens fair took place in Deventer, in The Netherlands. This was the second time I visited the fair and once again it was a lot of fun. As you might know, Victorian times are a big inspiration to me. Of course a big reason for this is the epic, big dresses, but the stories that we still have from that time keep the Victorian times alive. Charles Dickens was one of the biggest writers from that time. We al know his stories from Oliver Twist to Great Expectations and A Christmas Carol.

This last one is what the Dickens fair in Deventer is al about. In the Netherlands we celebrate Christmas for two days. And as I am writing this, it is the evening before Christmas. This evening people are just together as a family or as a couple. Just like myself and my boyfriend. The tree is up and everything is warm. We have nice food and some of us have even presents. It's a magical time. The time that Dickens liked the best. He made stories about the difference between poor and rich but above all about people. Now, many years later, the difference between rich and poor is a big as it was in his time. I think that is one of the reasons we still like this story so mutch.

This lovely day in December me and my boy went on a trip with 2 of my my best friends. Deventer is just a two hour ride from our home city in the north of the Netherlands. So we were there before we knew it. There was a line to enter the fair, which was about 3 hours long.

I was dressed up like a Victorian Lady. This is not common behaviour for visitors. Because normally only actors on the fair are dressed up. It's a bit like Disney Land ;) But one of the actors picked me and my friends out of the crowd. She said: "What are you doing here? Come with me we will sneak you past the line". I thought about it for a minute because it is not really fair to skip the line but I fear big groups of irritated people. So I decided that it was better for me to come with her. Next to this it is an honour that people like the stuff you make so much that you can work with the actors. It made us skip 1,5 hours of waiting.

A few years ago a went to this fair with my parents. I saw a lady with a beautiful bonnet. She gave workshops to make them but I lived a two-hour train ride away. I really wanted to learn how to make bonnets. I was so sad. Now, years later, I was wearing my own bonnet and I loved it. It was not exactly like bonnets from that time but I liked it and that is the most important. I want the upcoming year to be full of dreams to come true. I want to learn more about making bonnets and sell a few more. I would love them to be worn by other pretty ladies. That would make me so happy.

This was what I looked like. Next year I will make a dress with a crinoline. One of the acting groups said they wanted to work with me next year so I had a great day! 

 Here some more pictures of the day:

Me and my love

My pretty friends. They are going to marry next summer. Aren't they perfect together?

Hot chocolate is so so nice when it is winter.

my sweet dog likes to travel with us. He was so happy to join us this day.

One of my bonnets from the back.

My love and one of the other gents. I think he will look a bit like him when he is older. 

more pretty pictures of the fair by other photographers:

I hope you guys and dolls have a super Merry Christmas and a happy new year! If you would like to learn more about Charles Dickens I can advise you these websites: link and this: link