Wytsingdagen 2024

The Wytsingdagen in Burgum was my second Viking event where I set up camp. I was so excited to be there! It was a two hour drive and luckily we had no troubles getting there. Burgum is located in the north of Netherlands, in the province of Friesland.

A ravens eye view of the Wytsingdagen Burgum 2024

Organized by the reenactment group Swaninga and the Plak foar elkenien foundation, this event was held at brasserie Om de dobben. We went there Friday evening and arrived about eight o clock in the evening. We were welcomed warmly by the people who were already setting up camp as well. Swaninga, Ascloha, Wierdenbent and the Bloodaxes were present. Also another duo, of which I sadly forget their names. Like very time. But they make lovely band woven belts and trims! We quickly set up our tent and got settled at our spot for the weekend. I did a little round of saying hi to everyone. Later that evening we went to the main tent of the Bloodaxes for some quality time around the fireplace. These moments are some of my most precious ones. It's just something else, sitting around the fire in our handmade clothing, talking, listening and watching the flames dance.

Our camp.

Around ten a clock Saturday morning we would be open for visitors, which means put away everything not-viking and spread out your wares. I spend the day sewing some seams down on my summer pants and showing people how needle binding looks and works. Before we opened we could get breakfast at the brasserie which was amazing! We could also grab some eggs to use for lunch.

I even helped a fellow binder with finding a lost loop. She had just started with the Oslo stitch again and got lost in the yarn. After some finagling on my end I fixed it for her and she went on her way to continue her work elsewhere. I also got to wear my new apron dress. I made it when we were on holiday to Sweden a couple of months prior.

Me, very happy with my sunny side up egg on flatbread.

It was a really sunny weekend and we were, like last time, not fully prepared. We had no shade whatsoever in this wide open field. But luckily we could find cover at Rosanna and Johan from Ascloha. I felt a bit stupid that I had to ask, but I was so happy we did otherwise we would have been burned to a crisp.

I was also lucky to find a linnen dress, handmade by a reenactor from Germany, she was selling some of her wardrobe online. I jumped on it cause it is a really nice piece, and all handmade. On arrival it also fit perfectly, so I would not have to wear my woolen dress on this summer event.

During the Wytsingdagen many things were going on. There were some workshops like fire making, stick bread baking and archery! They even had a pig on a spit. After the event closed on Saturday I joined the others at the shooting rink. It was extra fun to shoot in my kit. I did not have a fancy quiver, so I had to make do with putting the arrows under my belt at my back. But this worked pretty well too!

Sunday rolled around and I had a rough night, tip: don't drink a lot of coffee when you almost never drink it, and also not right before going to bed... But after I recovered from that we got some breakfast from the brasserie and did some socializing. I also had some sales: a candle and a pair of socks. With that money I went ahead and bought a woven band to use as a shoulder strap for my bag. And a small piece of trim for on my apron dress. We found a piece that matched the fabric perfectly! All and all a weekend well spend. Can't wait to attend the next one!

Want to learn more about Swaninga? Then follow this link: Swaninga Here you will also find more about the coming Wytsingdagen! The next event will be at the 28th and 29th of June, 2025. At brasserie 'om de dobben' Langelaan 10, Burgum. Entry is free!