If you read voraciously fantasy books, feel that you are gamers deep down, and like horror movies, LARP is probably what you need. LARP stands for a live action role-playing game. In other words, it is a kind of game that brings to life your favoutite computer game, fantasy book or film. You and your friends are the main characters in this parallel world. LARP reminds somewhat of a theatre play, but it has no specific plot, and its ending is always open. Participants arrange in advance the setting. Every player develops their own character, improvising in various game situations. The result is a curious psychological experiment in which people can learn a lot about human nature…and themselves. LARP is very popular around the world. For instance, in Scandinavia the game is famous for its realism, while in Russia – for its large scale, allowing for some 1000 participants in a single game. In Bulgaria a LARP game can gather 30- 100 people, and their number is constantly growing. Participants belong to different clans and organize tournaments on a regular basis.

Thirty-three year old Ilina Konakchieva, who works for a private consultancy company, has been doing LARP for 5 years. In her words, it is not only young people who are addicted to the game, but also middle-aged ones. Here is more from Ilina:

“In Bulgaria and all over the world, the games’ plots have to do with fantasy and Sci-Fi literature. Very often, people act out historical games, which resemble to a certain extent historical re-enactment. Yet, there are games that deal with more contemporary topics. Thus, gamers can develop plots about World War II, which are typical of the spy action movie. Recently a new trend related to apocalyptic themes has increased in popularity. For instance, a catastrophe on a world scale hits the planet, leaving only a few survivors in a gruesome reality”, Ilina Konakchieva explains for Radio Bulgaria.

Do not be surprised, if you happen to witness a gunfight between motor bikers with fake weapons and knights dressed in medieval chain armours with iron spikes and torn-away skins. Most probably, you have come across LARPers, who reenact the cult action movie from the 80s Mad Max. Exceptionally interesting are the LARP costumes and weapons, which are usually made by the players themselves.

“People spend a lot of time making their costumes, and even go to a dressmakers store sometimes”, Ilina goes on to say. “We have people who forge metal armours especially for the LARP military characters. We also work with scenography professionals. There are LARP participants who are more excited about making their fancy dress costumes than the game itself. So, making the LARF outfit is a pleasant hobby, too”, Ilina Konakchieva says in conclusion. 

English version: Vyara Popova
Photos are provided by www.larp-bg.org