Columbus, IN Scottish Festival - Grumblings

[Frank McGrath]

Welcome to America.

[Chas]

Chas,

Highlander Daz has posted several photos of German Reenactors in the UK. They do exist.

http://www.wwiireenacting.co.uk/foru...?f=144&t=37873

T.

Well, you live and learn. I am amazed and shocked and frankly quite saddened that such a thing is happening in my own country.

Regards

Chas

[###KILTEDKIWI###]

Well, you live and learn. I am amazed and shocked and frankly quite saddened that such a thing is happening in my own country.

Wouldnt see it here, to many would basically attack / assault you either verbally or physically.

Sure there need to be the "bad guys" in their renactment, but do they need the bloomin swa*****ka on their garb as well? surely the could leave it off, we all know who they are.

I just cant believe that people would be proud to be part of an organisation who celebrate such affiliations.

[BEEDEE]

Hector was obviously upset by this display

...but right next to them was a group of nazi reenactors (german heer, SS and I believe at least one LW dude).

We really can not understand what the idea was to have these folks at a scottish festival....it was bad enough to have to wait in line for fish/chips right behind what looked like a lord of the rings ork....and 3 female elves (complete with pointy ears and 1 winged)...and then there's nazi dudes walking around with their mausers and their cammo gear...uncalled for.

Emails and letters will be forthcoming to the committee for next year.

But he is obviously going to be pro-active and voice his concerns with the organizers.

Continuing discussion on the rights or wrongs of WWII reenactors will most likely cause this tread to be closed and sent to the penalty box.

I would ask that you please keep your personal views to yourself.

Thanks,

Brian

[sathor]

...We really can not understand what the idea was to have these folks at a scottish festival....it was bad enough to have to wait in line for fish/chips right behind what looked like a lord of the rings ork....and 3 female elves (complete with pointy ears and 1 winged)...and then there's nazi dudes walking around with their mausers and their cammo gear...

Someone has to play the bad guys. We have civil war reenactors, and some take the south, some take the north. Some think that they have a duty to play the bad side, to help keep the lessons from being lost.

As to the elves... I wouldn't complain. I like being stuck in line near them. The orc, not so much, but the way I usually see the elves dressed, I wouldn't complain unless the orc was in the way.

[Zardoz]

If we accept that re-enactors in WWII Black Watch uniforms have a place at games or Scottish festivals, I would imply that if Scots and/or other allied military re-enactors are present, one should not be surprized to see opposition forces as well. If WWII is their thing, that might well include the Germans, along with their SS, death's head and swastika symbols. If one cares about historic accuracy, those symbols were central to the identity and mindset of many of the soldiers that wore them in war.

Please keep in mind that these guys are not out there promoting Nazism! They are playing their part in a history lesson, one where many differnt countries pulled together to overcome the fanatic conquests of the Axis powers. If the re-enactors were into WWI would there be an issue with portraying the Imperial German Army, or is it just the Nazi era uniforms that are so troubling?

As had been said, somebody has to be the bad guys! It's like if I went to a civil war battle re-enactment and complained about the federals being there. Or an Irish festival and griped about the English!

Personally I'd wonder why military re-enactors are at a Celtic event, but as someone interested in military history, I would not be troubled by them. And yes, I had relatives in WWII, in the US Navy and the Luftwaffe!

On the other hand, In my book you can't really have too many female type elves and fairies around ! Of course I have heard folks at the renfaire complain about the fairies and other mythological charaters running around... Some folks are just hard to please!

[hospitaller]

Personally I'd wonder why military re-enactors are at a Celtic event, but as someone interested in military history, I would not be troubled by them. And yes, I had relatives in WWII, in the US Navy and the Luftwaffe!

that's all fine and dandy, but you see, we went and expected to be at a SCOTTISH FESTIVAL, not a 'celtic event', and certainly were not expecting to have 'orcs/elves' or even WWII reenactors, if we wanted any of that we would have rented a movie or simply stayed home.

On the other hand, In my book you can't really have too many female type elves and fairies around ! Of course I have heard folks at the renfaire complain about the fairies and other mythological charaters running around... Some folks are just hard to please!

you can have them then, in a scottish festival, or highland games, I expect NOT to see make believe characters or wwii reenactors, they have their own audiences and events. (I was a WWII reenactor myself FWIW)

[macwilkin]

Post deleted.

[Zardoz]

that's all fine and dandy, but you see, we went and expected to be at a SCOTTISH FESTIVAL, not a 'celtic event', and certainly were not expecting to have 'orcs/elves' or even WWII reenactors

I agree with your sentiment there, as I said; "Personally I'd wonder why military re-enactors are at a Celtic event" Other than the Black Watch guys, I wonder what they, or indeed the organizers, felt they had to add?

As far as the renfair folk, I guess they were just patrons? Unfortunatly, we can't really control how people dress! I assume they like to dress up and felt they were getting into the spirit of things? Honestly, I'd rather not see anybody shlepping around in crocs and those baggy khaki shorts everyone seems to have, but they do it anyway!

As to Scottish festival vs. Celtic (or Irish/Welsh/Manx etc..) festival, I think you would have a hard time seperating them in the US.

[sathor]

they did have fae in Scotland, if someone wants to honor it it like dressing like a LOTR elf with half the clothes, they might be considered just as valid as a guy in a utilikilt. Just a random thought.