Elfia, formerly known as the Elf Fantasy Fair is a fantasy-themed cosplay festival held twice a year in the Netherlands.[1]
For the first time, it was organized in 2001 in the historical theme park Archeon. From 2009 Elfia (also known as the Kingdom of Elfia) appears twice a year, in April at Castle de Haar, Haarzuilens and in September at Castle Arcen, Arcen. The Haarzuilens event is the largest fantasy & costume event in Europe[2] and attracts some 27,000 visitors every year.[3] Elfia has been created by Stefan Struik but is now managed by his sister Helena Struik with the support of a group of small companies. Elfia is actually a cross-section of genres: next to fantasy, there are also themes from science fiction, LARP, gothic, manga, cosplay and historical reenactment genres. But most of all it is a costume event with (fantasy and historical) costume parades. Elfia also characterizes herself as a kingdom with a real flag, a border with fantasy customs officers, and royal elections. There are ambassadors appointed in seven different countries.
Since the Elf Fantasy Fair proved to be a success there have been other fantasy related events held in The Netherlands such as the Gothic & Fantasy Beurs at De Broodfabriek in Rijswijk (Gothic & Fantasy Exhibition, since 2003, now Fantasy Fest),[4] the Midwinter Fair at the Archeon, Alphen aan den Rijn (since 2003),[5]Castlefest at the Keukenhof, Lisse (since 2005),[6] the Gothic & Fantasy Fair in Arnhem (between 2007 and 2009),[7] Keltfest near Dordrecht (since 2008, now near Amsterdam),[8] the MysticFair in Rotterdam (in 2008 and 2009),[9] Nox Obscura (in 2008),[10] Phantasium in Eindhoven (between 2009 and 2013),[11] Fantastic Amsterdam in Amsterdam (in 2009 and 2010)[12][13] Fantastyval (between 2009 and 2014).[14][15] and the Midzomer Fair (Midsummer Fair, between 2010 and 2012)[16][17]
