Join us at the winter solstice
and together we’ll turn the world
upside down
Photo: Jory Mundy
The Winter Solstice in Penzance
Not so much a cultural revival as a complete re-imagining
of the old traditions of the twelve days of christmas
guize dancing and the mock (our yule log)
a living, breathing and evolving legacy
unique to us, here in Penwith.
Somehow a subtle blend of scaffolding and anarchy means that the best party of the year organically emerges from the chaos.
Keep up to date with all things Montol.
Find out a bit more about the history and origins of Montol.
Guise Dancing doesn’t have to include dancing at all but disguise is the most importatnt part of the festival.
Photo Credits: 1 Lee Palmer, 2 Ian Mayou, 5 Greg Huckfield
Spotlight
All the important information
you might need
Mask Making Workshop
Don’t forget – The first of 2 mask-making workshops is this evening – hosted by WAC (Whole Again Communities) at the Treneere Community Hub on Colinsey Road, Penzance.
Tuesday 17th December – from 5:00pm till 7:00pm
Second Rule of Montol (I think … I lose track) – wear a mask, hide your face, disguise yourself.
Materials provided – just bring your friends and your imaginations.
The Winter Solstice in Penzance
Montol really is a community Festival – each component is fully autonomous – there’s nothing prescribed or proscribed … within reason.
How all the participants, planning, making and practicing in secret,
just turn up and spontaneously put on such a magnificent party …
is a mystery.
But it happens every year on the same day, rain or moon-shine.
Raffidy Dumitz Band
The glue which holds the festival together.
Their hypnotic music leading all the parades and ceremonies.
The Guilds
Groups who get together to choose a theme for their disguise and a plan to entertain and amaze throughout the revels.
Strange Beasts
Flowing through the crowds like dark fires. Freelance and feral, the Beasts are not pets. Beware!
Special Guest Stars
Mummers and morris dancers, fire dancers, a constellation of starlets and Tas Nadelik – our Father Christmas.
The MOC
The Montol Organising Committee – behind the scenes, planning, juggling, wrangling and whispering – making sure it all works.
Photo Credits: 1-4 Ian Mayou, 5 Wikimedia Commons
The Montol Blog
Keep up with all the latest news
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Participation
A guest post from the Raffidy Dumitz Band You remember us. You’ve seen us at Montol since 2015 and at Golowan, Redruth Wassail, Penryn Mock Mayor and othe Cornish events. Like Montol, we’re fully inclusive and all about participation – if you are…
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Why do we burn the sun?
OK, so why DO we burn the sun? Time to ruffle the feathers we wear in our hair and in our hats. Good time to ask.Life full, as it is for 10 days now, of bending and sticking, thinking and planning, papering and…
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How Did Montol Get Its Name?
On our page about the origins of Montol we mention that there has been – how shall we put it – a bit of to-and-fro in the past about the origin of the name. So we did a bit of looking around and…
Costumes
This is Penzance – there’s no dress code
civvies, full fig or sky-clad
but this is MONTOL
so it’s not FANCY DRESS either.
We have some guidelines and suggestions to help you plan your look.
Masks
Traditionally, the guise dancers chose to hide their faces
which makes sense if you’re up to mischief or breaking taboos.
We have a few ideas to get you started and inspire you.
Photo Credits: 1 Greg Martin, 2 Ian Mayou