Programme

La Giostra is a band that has participated for many years in medieval-style festivals, fantasy events, historical representations and ethnic music events in Italy and abroad. The group’s style combines different cultural forms and stylistic tendencies, often combining, as if for fun, medieval melodies or profane songs in Vulgar Latin with new and more captivating sounds, typical of other genres and styles. The vulgar or so-called vernacular language reigns supreme in some unpublished or traditional popular songs, sometimes combining with marked percussive rhythms. This musical project quite explicitly merges the group’s different musical experiences, made up of cultural comparisons, stylistic influences and jam sessions with musicians from different cultures. By experimenting with the combination of the voices of street vendors, stories and songs with electrified string and wind instruments and integrating real percussion with the loop station that supports the Ribeca, the bagpipe and the flute, La Giostra offers the listener a set of dulcimers, Latin grooves, oriental ambient or tarantellas with a Celtic and Mediterranean flavor that invite you to dance.

‘Hello, I’m Sara, also known as Aylin Lab, as is also the name of my workshop. I have been cosplaying for about ten years and for the past four years I have also been a professional artisan, specialising in making costumes around films and video games. I like to experiment with different materials, from rubbers and resins to natural materials like wood and straw. I also use classic cosplay materials such as Foam, Forex, Worbla and often use 3D printing. In 2017, I won the Italian national championship and have participated in prestigious competitions such as the ICL in Madrid and the TOC in Vienna. I am very happy and honoured to be a judge and guest at this wonderful event.’

ChelseaBoy, most known from Drag Race Holland season 1, is an Amsterdam based drag artist and they’re one of the main judges in Make Up Your Mind, using their multidisciplinary storytelling as a tool to explore a variety of topics such as identity, gender and sexuality. Taking inspiration from the supernatural domain, their “Gender Hybrid” character aspires to showcase the synergy between our inside and outside world through nostalgic performances filled with extraterrestrial elements. Their ultimate utopian vision is to create a universe governed by the full spectrum of unbridled creativity, inclusivity, self acceptance and love. ChelseaBoy is also known for being well spoken on diversity, equity and inclusion topics.

Cosplay superstar Taryn will join Elfia this upcoming April! Taryn is a professional cosplayer who has redefined the meaning of this word, literally embodying the characters he plays. Costume maker and performer, he began participating in cosplay competitions in Italy where he curated the characters he brought to life. Nowadays he is recognized as a symbol in the global Cosplay community. With working collaborations like Riot Games, Ubisoft, Bandai Namco, Konami and much more , his passion for cosplay led him as a Guest in over 30 countries on 5 continents where he enchanted all type of audiences. With his huge online following, he dedicates himself day after day to motivating and inspiring his community, which actively follows and supports him in his projects and adventures. In addition to cosplay, Taryn is passionate about martial arts and bodybuilding. With almost two decades of competitive karate training, he manages to integrate this discipline into his cosplays, making them even more spectacular and authentic. With his motto “Beyond your limits”, Taryn is excited to join the Elfia family! Don’t miss the chance to meet him during his scheduled activities at Elfia Haarzuilens 2025!

Calssara is a cosplayer from Germany who started to cosplay in 2004. She was Germany’s representative for World Cosplay Summit (WCS) in 2009, 2011 and 2021. Together with her partner Elffi, she won the finals of World Cosplay Summit 2021 and was awarded with the Grand Champion title. Also she represented her country in the European Cosplay Gathering (ECG) and won the champion title in 2012. Calssara has visited over 40 countries on 4 continents as a judge, panelist and guest for all kinds of events. She especially loves judging contests and performances because they give her motivation and inspiration for her own new projects. She works as a librarian in a big city library with a maker space open to the public. The library’s maker space makes it possible for people of all ages and backgrounds to work with machines like sewing machines, 3D printers, laser cutters or other equipment. Also a part of this is a cosplay club for cosplay beginners. In the club she hosts, the people can learn how to craft and make their own costumes. Beside being a cosplayer and working as a librarian, she lives with her husband in a small house at the forest, loves to drink lots of tea and snack on cake and cookies.

Continuing the series of talks about castles that he has lived or worked in, join Uncle Roly for a personal view of one of his favourites, “Balmoral Castle” in Aberdeenshire. This simply beautiful building has been the highland home of the British monarchy since the mid 19th century and it is easy to see why it remains so loved. But did you know that this is the second castle to stand here? Let ́s have fun exploring this incredible castle with it ́s treasures and secrets. Why did the royal family buy the castle? What was the original like? How many secrets does its walls hold? What personal memories does Uncle Roly have here? Come and join in and find out. Believe it or not this also fits in with the “Gothic” theme from earlier. If you ́re good you might even get a highland jelly baby.