In the end winter also arrived at the GoT festival held in Florence. Let’s make it clear right away that I am one of those paying people who attended the event, at the time I write this article, I have no relationship with the organizers and I do not know them at all. If by sheer chance I had to have any of them among the friends of facebook, it is because I like to participate in similar events concerning the world of cosplay to take some photos or for organizational purposes by way of “customer” regarding the event itself.
This is the first in the series of articles that I decided to write in this blog to tell you about my experiences regarding events related to this one that I will participate in.
I will then tell you about our experience (I was in company). I managed to find parking very close to the place where the event advertised under the name: The Winter Is Coming – The Game of Thrones Party (Florence) that would be the game of swords. I didn’t understand much about this party, I didn’t even know if it was outdoors or indoors.
There was also another similar throne-of-sword party in the province of Prato under the name Valar Morghulis / GOT Party. I have read a number of negative comments about it. Apparently, the same problems arose. Anyway, I can’t talk to him because I wasn’t there. I don’t even know if it’s the same organizers. The day was identical anyway.
We pass the entrance that makes us cross the place that overlooks the square where we would have dined used to party game of thrones. We line up for the entrance, the queue proceeds quite fast. The environment is nice and the mood of people, including mine, is pretty good. I personally attend these kinds of events precisely for this reason.
Quickly we receive the bracelet and are led to our tables. The person who accompanied me to the event at this point tells me that he thinks he has reason to be perplexed. In fact, he expected the tables to be under marquees to protect us from the expected bad weather.
I don’t pay much attention to it because I hope for the best and try to enjoy the evening. I was very curious, because in my opinion this is a very courageous and original initiative. There were a lot of people dressed in themed clothes and the space seemed to me adequate to the amount of people it was supposed to accommodate. In fact, some table on the margins remained empty as well.
I thought they’d bring us dinner from there soon, I’d look at the other tables that were without plates and I assumed dinner would start when most of the queue at the entrance had been disposed of. After about half an hour, I notice that there were people bringing something to the tables and via microphone inform us that for drinks and for food, it is advisable to do it yourself.
While I took some pictures of the fire eaters performing, the one who accompanied me went to get something to eat. Then I went back to the assigned table and waited about twenty minutes. I noticed that people complained about food and drink.
The dishes that were made available were dessert dishes and you had to do no less than thirty minutes in a row to fill them. So one person, he could fill his plate at most, fill his glass with something and go back to his place. In fact, as far as food and drink, predicting a few extra rows wouldn’t have been a bad idea I think.
I liked the animation, with a lot of figures not indifferent and I especially liked the attitude of the organization towards our animal friends who could participate in the banquet. In fact, in a closed place, this would not have been possible. I could see the presence of Czechoslovakian wolf dogs and also a Jack Russell Terrier (mine).
The menu included drinks of various types, onions, boiled, tomato gruel and hard-boiled eggs. Someone told us that there should have been chicken with potatoes but that it was over right away. The quality of the food and ingredients were excellent. Of course being a medieval lunch you could not expect rows of waiters who bring to the tables whole wild boar. Especially considering the ticket price and the prices that are around in the various restaurants.
Let’s not forget that the animation, the catering, the instrumentation, the setting and everything else cost a lot. Not to mention the time and preparations that were certainly made with the best intentions and with all the passion and will possible. Also, if the rain had ruined my Lucca Commics, I certainly wouldn’t have demanded a refund. With all the money you spend in crap then.
During the dinner, an interview was heard by John Snow’s Italian voice actor.
Unfortunately at some point, a gust of wind heralded the end of the evening in advance. The rain fell incessantly and at an incredible rate. So we decided to go home because with the damp clothes we were afraid to take a bronchitis.
I can’t tell you what happened next because I wasn’t there, but they informed me that although the weather has decimated the number of people present, someone stayed to celebrate.
I guess the others were wise enough to go home or dry out somehow. Before leaving, I noticed a certain emotionality on the part of the participants and also from the organizers. Emotionalcomments that were also expressed in heated comments on the event page, some of which have been removed.
However, I would like to encourage initiatives of this kind because I think they are very particular and very beautiful. I would like to think that both the organization and the participants have not been so annoyed that they are giving up this type of events, which in other distant places are almost the order of the day and make us forget for a moment the fears of the Life. That in Italy, however, compared to other nations, there are not so many.
This is my experience, contrary to the current opinion of most people, I must say that the evening did not look bad, I was really happy and relaxed. I personally do not know if I would have been able to organize it better but I feel like I would be profane to give a couple of tips if I can:
- Organize these types of events during milder periods;
- Define a unique catering system (served or self-service) right away and find a way to make it as efficient and quick as possible;
- If bad weather is expected, invest in renting open marquees on the sides as is often the case in the outlets of some fairs;
- Focusing on fewer attractions to reduce costs, in my opinion a simple themed party with fewer people all dressed is more manageable and effective. I would have seen well the presence of a medieval dance school, a teacher involving people with the appropriate touch and the guest of honor, the voice of John Snow, possibly dressed in thetheme that dinner together with the others.
We arrived at the end of my article, this morning reading the news I learned that the bad weather has created great inconveniences and tragedies in other places decidedly greater than this. To them, my most sincere condolences go out.
Feel free to comment on this article but I will only approve comments without insults and manifestations of unjustified emotion. I’m sure next time it will be better.
