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Mad Hatter’s Festival
A Dream for Nerds and Imagination
Lovers in Lyon
Welcome to “La fête du Chapelier” the Mad Hatter’s Festival, where dreams come alive and imagination rules! Whether you’re a nerd, an adventurer, or simply curious, this festival promises a magical journey you won’t want to miss. Organized by the brilliant minds behind the Yggdrasil festival, a leading event creator in Lyon, this celebration is perfect for those who love fantasy worlds and nerd culture.
Mark your calendars for August 31st and September 1st at the Parilly Hippodrome, where the magic unfolds!
The entry to the Festival was kindly #supplied to the team by the Festival organizers.
Photo by La fête du Chapelier
Chapter 1: Enter the Wonderland 🐇🌈
No need to speak French to step into the dreams of the Mad Hatter from Alice in Wonderland. Here, every language is welcome, and the only requirement is a love for imagination.
Prepare yourself to dive into an enchanted world where imagination reigns supreme. The Mad Hatter’s Festival, organized by the Yggdrasil team, will take place on August 31st and September 1st at the Parilly Hippodrome.
What to Expect:
- Mind-Blowing Shows & Performances: From dazzling dance displays to sword-fighting lessons, the festival offers a wide array of captivating experiences.
- Immersive Decor: Step into a world inspired by Alice in Wonderland, where the decor is nothing short of “hallucinatory.”
Whether you’re here for the enchantment, the artistry, or the sheer fun, you’ll be swept away into a realm where the only common language is wonder.
Chapter 2: The Legend of the Festival 🌟
The Mad Hatter’s Festival has become a key event in the Yggdrasil lineup. With four major events each year, Yggdrasil has made its mark with immersive and decorated festivals that attract thousands of fans from all over the world.
Discover the Festival’s Highlights:
- Alice’s World: The theme allows the creative teams to forge “hallucinatory” decorations, giving free rein to their creativity.
- Interactive Stories: Join troupes eager to draw you into their tales, meet authors and illustrators sharing their stories, and artisans showcasing their crafts.
Expect the unexpected! Immerse yourself in the Mad Hatter’s dreams, engage in whimsical quests, and embrace the unexpected. Whether it’s a party, a battle, a fantasy, or a quest for knowledge, each dream offers unexpected encounters and surreal experiences.
Chapter 3: Dance the Night Away 💃🕺
On August 31st and September 1st, the Parilly Hippodrome will transform into a dreamlike Wonderland. This year, the Mad Hatter and the Yggdrasil team invite you to an outlandishly delightful dance floor!
Dance Like Never Before:
- Barefoot Dancing: Dance barefoot in the grass among giant flowers and fantastic creatures.
- Wild and Extravagant Moves: Let loose with your most outrageous dance moves and extravagant antics, as if you’re dreaming with your eyes open.
- Diverse Dance Styles: From lively zumba sessions to elegant ballroom dances and exciting Just Dance challenges, there’s something for everyone.
Discover new dances with family or friends and have the time of your life. And the fun doesn’t stop there! Partner dance associations are ready to take you even further into this fantastic world.
Chapter 4: Meet the Guests of Folly 🎤🎭
This year’s festival features some incredible guests who will make your experience unforgettable. Here’s who you’ll meet:
Special Guests:
- Laurence Bréheret: The French voice of Helena Bonham Carter, our favorite Queen of Hearts! Laurence has dubbed numerous films, animations, and video games, including the voice of Cersei Lannister in French. She is also an accomplished author and theater actress.
- Damien Laquais: Bringing his unique humor and boundless good mood to the festival, Damien returns to delight festival-goers. Despite his busy schedule, he’ll charm you between performances of his latest show and his prolific voice acting work.
- Lloyd the Hypnotist: A beloved member of the Yggdrasil family, Lloyd will entertain with his hypnotism, humor, mentalism, and magic. Whether he turns you into a model on the catwalk or an astronaut, be prepared for surprises!
Chapter 5: The Battle Dream ⚔️❤️
In this dream, the nightmarish Queen of Hearts seeks to regain power and is preparing her army. Sneak into her ranks to thwart her plans. Sword-fighting tournaments and croquet games with flamingos will be part of your training. Beware of the queen’s inner guard, who will not hesitate to put you in the stocks if necessary to punish you for your good inclinations. Immerse yourself in a world of giant cards, rose bushes to paint red, and a massive throne to pretend to be the queen.
Dream Highlights:
- Joy of the Dream: Blow off steam in combat.
- Dangers of the Dream: “Off with his head!” Indeed, you know: it’s the world of military camps and medieval courts.
- Suggested Dress Code: Tabard and chainmail, cloak and bliaut.
Chapter 6: The Fantasy Dream 🌺🐱
In this dream, where singing flowers, cats without smiles, and smiles without cats coexist, dive into a world filled with ramblings. Adopt a leek and take it for a walk so it doesn’t get too bored. Become a “nose” and find lost scents in the tubes before popping bubbles. Let yourself be painted in rainbow colors to blend in. Here, a giant cat’s head stands next to an improbable snail, mushrooms of excessive growth, and of course, cat-owls.
Dream Highlights:
- Joy of the Dream: Escape by staying in your bubble while children get painted.
- Dangers of the Dream: Returning to reality may be difficult. You know: it’s the world of little and big children, full of games and poetry.
- Suggested Dress Code: A tamed fox and a little fairy dust to fly until morning.
Chapter 7: The Dream of Knowledge 📚✨
There’s no smoke without brains heating up. Here, discover new endless stories and get them signed by the authors. Illustrators will transport you into their epic creations, into fantastically plausible and gently imbued worlds. They are our kings and queens of hearts! They’ll make us grow up or shrink into childhood, depending on the situation! Absolem’s great library is waiting for you to make the book characters come out.
Dream Highlights:
- Joy of the Dream: Meet authors, and dive unabashedly into their worlds, each more surprising than the last.
- Dangers of the Dream: In case of a book battle, remember that the edges are blunt. You know: it’s the universe of authors and illustrators, where the book is king.
- Suggested Dress Code: Especially no dust, and the costume of a character from your favorite reading.
Chapter 8: The Dream of Games 🎲♟️
…but not just any games. Here the White Queen, in all her refinement, offers you board games. Challenge your children honestly… or not. Cordially confront your friends in the rules of art or in “brute” mode; your choices will determine your adventure. Between a dragon’s skull and giant chess pieces, make your way to the White Queen to pledge your loyalty.
Dream Highlights:
- Joy of the Dream: Be mesmerized by a fire-eater’s show.
- Dangers of the Dream: Forgetting your fireproof armor and becoming a mere peasant when you dreamed of being a noble knight. You know: it’s the domain where all the most whimsical creatures are welcome. You’ll encounter a Golem, fauns, and living beings that we don’t even know how to name.
- Suggested Dress Code: Your finest 20-sided dice and your level 10 character.
Chapter 9: The Dream of Travel and Discovery 🌍🚀
You are not ready for what awaits you in the Dodo’s journeys. The Mad Hatter’s great friend, he enjoys telling his travels. In this dream, explore the crazy tales of one who has scoured the seas and oceans while dancing the crazy dance. In this dream, take your place, as you can, between the suitcases and the Dodo’s hot air balloon.
Dream Highlights:
- Joy of the Dream: Meeting different cultures without leaving Parilly’s hippodrome.
- Dangers of the Dream: Ending up requesting poetic asylum in one of the proposed destinations. You know: it’s the world of travel, imaginary or not.
- Suggested Dress Code: A compass that doesn’t point north and a treasure map.
Chapter 10: The Dream of Indulgence 🍔🍰
Welcome to the Tweedles’ table! After all these adventures, a little snack is in order. Homemade burgers and fries, raclette, freshly cooked ramen, Italian pasta flambéed in a parmesan wheel, churros, not to mention the essential dragon-smoked drinks.
Dream Highlights:
- Joy of the Dream: Seriously, do we need to explain the joys of a table of friends around a tempting (but not slimy) meal?
- Dangers of the Dream: Being stuck for hours before being able to make your choice. We return to reality… or not.
Practical Information 📍🗓️
Ready to join the fun? Here’s everything you need to know to plan your visit at “La fête du Chapelier”:
Location:
Hippodrome de Parilly
4-6 Av. Pierre Mendès France,
69500 Bron, Lyon
Dates:
- Saturday, August 31st, 2024: 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM
- Sunday, September 1st, 2024: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Tickets:
- Adults: €11 (Pre-sale: €8)
- Ages 14-20: €8 (Pre-sale: €6)
- Children 13 and under: Free
Tickets and More Info:
For tickets and additional information, visit https://festivalyggdrasil.eu/.
Festival in Numbers
Visitors Expected
15,000 Visitors Expected: Join a vibrant crowd of fantasy enthusiasts, dreamers, and adventure seekers from all over the world.
14,000 m² of Animations
Explore a vast array of interactive experiences and immersive zones, where you can step into different dreams and adventures.
1,300 m² of Paper to Paste
Craftsmanship and creativity collide as the festival's decor team uses a whopping 1,300 square meters of paper to create stunning visuals.
140 Troupes and Artisans
Experience the creativity and passion of talented performers, craftsmen, and artists who bring this whimsical world to life.
