🎵 The Year of the Bard – Why Wyldwood Begins with Song and Story
- Laura Lascaris
- Jul 9
- 3 min read
When dreaming up Wyldwood Renaissance Festival, we knew that every year would carry a different theme — a thread of inspiration woven through the heart of the event. For our grand debut in 2026, we could think of no better way to begin than by celebrating The Year of the Bard.
But why the bard? Why not the knight, the merchant, or the monarch? To us, the answer was clear: before any sword is raised, before any trade is struck, and long before the histories are written down… someone has to tell the tale.
Who Were the Bards?
In the traditions of Celtic Britain and medieval Europe, bards were the keepers of memory and the weavers of wonder. More than just musicians, they were oral historians, poets, satirists, and spiritual figures. A true bard could stir an army to courage, shame a king into justice, or lull an infant to sleep with the same harp and voice.
In ancient Wales and Ireland, bards trained for years in storytelling, genealogy, language, and law. They could recite the heroic deeds of ancestors back twenty generations or compose verses so sharp they might be considered a weapon. Their performances weren’t merely for entertainment — they preserved culture, passed down knowledge, and shaped the reputations of those they sang about.
To be a bard was to carry a nation's identity on your tongue.
Why Celebrate the Bard?
Bards were never just entertainers — they were changemakers. They turned history into legend and legend into something that stirs us still today. In a time before written records were widespread, it was the bard who remembered. They were the living books of their people.
At Wyldwood, we believe stories matter. Music matters. Shared laughter, shared mourning, shared wonder — these are the bonds that hold community together. And in times of hardship, it’s often the storytellers who remind us who we are, and what we’re capable of becoming. In celebrating the bard, we celebrate the power of words, of voice, and of connection. We honour those who dare to speak — and sing — truth, even when it’s uncomfortable. And we encourage every visitor, whether in garb or jeans, to find the magic in their own voice.
Why Begin With the Bard?
Our festival is new — a tale just beginning. And so, what better guide to lead us into this story than the bard?
Bards open the show. They welcome kings and jesters alike. They set the tone and stir the spirit. They begin things — with music, with myth, and with a glint of mischief in their eye.
We chose The Year of the Bard as our first theme because Wyldwood is, at its heart, a celebration of creativity. Whether you’re a seasoned reenactor or wandering through your first renaissance faire, you’re part of the tale now. And that tale needs telling.
By anchoring our first year in the bardic tradition, we invite everyone to pick up the thread of the story — to sing, speak, play, or simply listen. Because at Wyldwood, every voice matters.
The Battle of the Bard
As part of this year’s theme, we’re proud to present our inaugural Battle of the Bard — a festival-wide contest open to musicians, poets, storytellers, and other performers who carry the bardic torch.
Over the weekend, talented performers from across the land will take to the stage to dazzle the crowds with verse, voice, and virtuosity. From comedic limericks to soul-stirring ballads, each act brings their own flair to the fight. But unlike a knightly tournament, no blood is spilled — only applause.
Finalists will compete for the title of Wyldwood’s Bard of the Year, and the winner will be crowned in a raucous finale that promises laughter, tears, and maybe even a singalong or two. If you’ve ever felt the fire of performance in your belly — or if you simply love to listen — this is an event not to be missed.
Join the Tale
So come one, come all, to the first telling of the Wyldwood tale.
Whether you strum a lute, recite an epic, or just hum along with the crowd — you’re part of this year’s celebration. The Year of the Bard is more than a theme. It’s an invitation.
Step into the Wylds. Find the storyteller within. And help us begin something unforgettable.
🎟 Early bird tickets for Wyldwood RenFest 2026 are on sale now!📅 29–31 May 2026 | 📍 Kirkleatham Showground🧙♂️ Think you’ve got what it takes to compete in the Battle of the Bard?
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