At Saturday, 21th April 2018 I drove with two friends to Elfia 2018 in Haarzuilens(NL). This was my first time I have visited a costume event. And not my last. Now you can read my report with a selection of my fotos and with few information.
This article is also available as a blog post in german.
You’ll never dream alone
Before we could dream with elves, pirates, knights, legendary creatures, steampunker and cosplayers, it was a long way from Wuppertal to Haarzuilens (about 260km). I was happy to speak with two friendly passengers on the trip. 
At we arrived the Castle de Haar, stewards showed us the way to our parking place on a field. This was good organized. The 8 € parking fee was OK. There were many visitors on the way to the castle. Only few people were standing in front of the ticket office, because the most have bought the cheaper tickets online.
Castle de Haar
We saw many persons in the mornig. But it was still no problem, because there is a big park.
Front Side and Back Side of Castle de Haar
We (=6 persons) found our first photo motif very quickly. Many actors were standing in a good position for the first picture. It was also no problem to take a photo with other photographers.
„Animal Head Human Body“ in front of Castle de Haar
Black Ladies
On the back side of the castle there are more elves, pirates, knights and legendary creatures.
Characters of Fairy Tales
Honest and wild
Some of us were not sure, if they have enough batteries in their camera bag. Because there so many photo motifs, they had no time for doubts.
The Wild Side of Elfia 2018 in Haarzuilens
Every kid know: it isn’t only peace in stories of fairy tales and legends. Around the Castle de Haar many warriors and soldiers were ready to defence the Kingdom of Elfia and all the visitors. 
At first I show you my favorite warrior.
Amazon (Nadine Buitendijk/VampNadine)
Nadine Buitendijk have a good costume combinated with a good performance. But there are more. I met her while she had a photo shoot with a couple of photographers. After a while she turned to me and continued her perfomance especially for me and my camera. This was nice. Thank you very much.
I have to say: The most of the actors are friendly, if you like to take a photo.
You could find more proud warriors and soldiers.
Group of warrior 1
Group of warrior 2
Steampunk-Soldier
A few words to Steampunk:
Steampunks coming out of the victorian era. What would have happend, if the technology development was on another way? You can find the answer in the book of Jules Verne and H. G. Wells. The Steampunk show us a fascinating and special kind of technology.
The Lovely Side of Elfia 2018 in Haarzuilens
All warriors and soldiers wasn’t impolite. But if you want, you can find realy nice persons.
Lady with hat
Manga-Cosplayer
A short explanation of Manga, Cosplay und „Free Hugs“:
Manga figures coming from japanese comics and films(animes). They are very popular in Japan and popular in the rest of the world too. Every year a Japan Day is celebrating in Düsseldorf. The next Japan Day will be taking place on 26th May 2018. Although the most human manga figures are German , it is a great event for photographers.
Cosplay means to play a figure of a comic, book or film with all the same costumes and charakter. This can be a well known figure from Starwars, Star Trek, films of pirates or -very popular- figures from mangas and animes.
The Free Hugs Campaign is a social movement involving individuals who offer hugs to strangers in public places. I haven’t tried it. Altthogh there was many nice and friendly models in Haarzuilens.
The Mystic Side of Elfia 2018 in Haarzuilens
It was no problem to find elves, druids, witches and other mythical creatures.
Creatures of the forest
Picknick in the forest
The Last Unicorn
The theme of Elfia 2018 was „Dragon & Druids“. We met a druid at work.
Druid and sacrifice
We could see a druid and a sacrifice. Don’t worry! It was typically Elfia: everbody was in a good mood, inclusive the virginal victim.
Farewell
Break near the Castel de Haar
It is impossible to show everything and everyone. You can find sales stands, food stands, a big music stage and more. We had no time for the Magical Laser Show, because it was a long way home. During we driving home, I spoke a lot about Elfia 2018 in Haarzuilens with my two friends. We were remember the motto of Elfia:
You’ll never dream alone!
Do you like to see more? Do you like to feel a little bit of the mood? You can find a lot of videos on YouTube.
Personal conclusion:
It was a very good trip to Elfia 2018 in Haarzuilens. Beautiful weather and actors in a good mood with good costumes – more need no photographer. We were no worry about the long drive (2x260km) or the expensive tickets. We could stay there for a long time. Unfortunately, we couldn’t have seen every creatures, because they are too much. That’s the reason for my next visit to the Kingdom of Elfia. The next Elfia-Event is in Arcen/Limburg Saturday, 22th September 2018 and Sunday, 23th September 2018. Maybe I will meet you?
Tickets: Tickets are not cheap. For Haarzuilens: you can find cheaper tickets online. If you buy earlier, you will buy it much cheaper. There is a risk: after you have bought a ticket, you can’t give it back.
Tips:
- It is not allowed to bring food or drinks to Elfia. Food and drinks can buy at food stands.
- You can find enough toilets on different places. You need 50 cent coins. And important, you need enough time for the queue. The toilets near the ticket office (outside) have the shortest queue, but we had waited there also a long time for our girls.
- Arrive early. There are always many visitors. If there are too many visitors, the management will close the entrance. The more people in Elfia, the more you will unhappy, because you will see more visitors than actors on the monitor of your camera.
- Important, have enough memory cards and batteries. You will surprised, how often and how long you are photograph and film.
- It is absolutely no problems to take photos! After a long preparation time, elves, pirates, knights, mangas and other legendary creatures waiting for photographers, to show themselves. No Problem to takes pictures with other photographers. Are you a little bit shy? Look for a group of other photographers and take photos together. If you intensive photograph a creature for a longer time, it is nice to give them your business card.
Do you have ever been in Elfia? Do you know more about the actors of the photos? Maybe you are one of the actors, i have photographed? Whats your opinion about this article? I am glad about every comment.