Published: Monday, 16th May 2022
The ever-popular Hanse Festival is to return to King’s Lynn on Sunday 12 June 2022.
The Mayor of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk, Cllr Lesley Bambridge, said: “The Hanse Festival is an opportunity to celebrate the rich heritage of King’s Lynn.
“The event starts with the colourful ‘Parade of Flags’, this is followed by entertainment in King’s Staithe Square for young and old to enjoy. We’ll have live music on stage, traditional Latvian dancing and the Hanse Festival Regatta on the river to finish the day off.”
Norfolk County Councillor Nick Daubney, Chair of the King’s Lynn Hanse group, explains: “The Hanse Festival celebrates everything we have to be proud of about our town – its history, people, cultural events, international links and stunning architecture. It draws people to the historic waterside and naturally focusses on the town’s maritime past and its position as one of the country’s most significant ports in medieval times.”
Cllr Graham Middleton, Deputy Leader and Cabinet member for Business, Culture and Heritage at the borough council, is delighted to see the festival return for a 12th time this year: “This festival celebrates the town’s past and current membership of the Hanseatic League. With lots to enjoy in King’s Staithe Square and the South Quay it’s another great reason to visit King’s Lynn town centre and enjoy what the town has to offer.”
The Hanse Festival Regatta, organised by Wells and King’s Lynn Coastal Rowing Club, will be held over both days of the weekend and will feature boats from all over the country. At 2:30pm on Saturday 11 June the Baden Powell will set sail and the first race on the River Great Ouse will be held at 3pm.
On Sunday 12 June, at 11:30 the ‘Parade of Flags’ that showcases all of the Hanseatic countries will leave the Tuesday Market Place. Supported by the Hanseatic Union, flag bearers from many countries will head through King's Lynn town centre towards the historic Saturday Market Place and onto the quayside.
From 11:50am on King’s Staithe Square there will be traditional Latvian dancing, followed by live music on stage from the Pot of Gold Shanty Crew, Bruther Will and Good Company.
Music will be playing, people representing Hanseatic nations will be waving flags and thanks to Rachael Williams, the Learning and Engagement Officer from Stories of Lynn, children can get involved with activities on King’s Staithe Square including a Walking Boat procession from the Tuesday Market Place through the town to King’s Staithe Square.
Rachael said, “I can’t wait for this year’s Hanse Festival. We have chocolate cakes to decorate, a range of fun outdoor games to play, Hanse badges to design and make and the popular junk model boat making where children can use the junk to build their own little boat and test it on the mini-river. It is going to be great!”
When the bands stop, the second day of racing on the river begins, with the final race finishing at 6pm.
Popular events from previous festivals return, including Discover Hanseatic Lynn walks and lectures at Marriott’s Warehouse.
The King’s Lynn Town Guides will lead the ‘Discover Hanseatic Lynn’ walks. Walks are free to attend but must be booked at the Tourist Information Centre inside Stories of Lynn.
All the latest information will be available at www.west-norfolk.gov.uk/events
The Hanseatic League – then and now
The Hanseatic League was a historic and powerful trading alliance which began in Germany in the 13th century and dominated Baltic and North Sea trade for three centuries. The alliance brought wealth and prosperity to King’s Lynn, as it became one of the league’s main UK ports. Merchants thronged the Great Ouse waterfront. The Hanseatic warehouse was built by German merchants, and Lynners built fine homes, guildhalls and churches alongside the busy river. The legacy of these great merchants can still be seen today.
The new Hanseatic League was created in 1980, its purpose was to keep the spirit of the original league alive in terms of a social and cultural alliance. The new Hanse consists of 192 cities across 16 countries. In July 2005, the Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk became the first English city to become a member of the new Hanse. Cllr Nick Daubney represents England on the International Commission for the league and sits alongside representatives from each of the other member countries.
It is hoped that membership of the Hanse (which is free) will help with international networking, raising awareness of King’s Lynn across the member countries and increase overall recognition, both locally and further afield, of this important facet of King’s Lynn’s rich heritage.