International festival Way of the Vikings 2017

The second international festival Way of the Vikings gathered fans and connoisseurs of the Middle Ages in the interactive history park and museum Sula. Events of the legendary era (the 9-11th centuries) relating to the history of the famous trade route from the Varangians to the Greeks were recreated in the ancient manor. Centuries ago the trade route crossed Belarusian lands to connect Scandinavia with the Byzantine Empire.

According to the organizers, the story of every consecutive festival is tied up with the story of the previous festival. In anticipation of the 950th anniversary of Minsk this year’s festival focused on recreating the battle on the Nemiga River, which occurred on 3 March 1067 and involved the troops of the Polotsk prince Vseslav the Sorcerer and the Yaroslavich dynasty. It is symbolical that the city was first mentioned in the Tale of Bygone Years due to this battle.

The scale of this year’s festival was impressive. Visitors were invited to see a recreation of the trade campaign of Varangian merchants, wargames and single combat of the Vikings, a massive battle royal, a jousting tournament, battles of individual detachments as they storm the gates of a castle, fight on the bridge, or protect the konung… In the field camp visitors could see the clothes, weapons, and everyday items of the Vikings. Visitors could buy souvenirs and master ancient crafts in the arts and crafts area such as pottery, blacksmithing, gunsmithing, stone carving…

Legendary warriors, eye-popping battles, a trade campaign, the defense of a town with Vikings disembarking from their drakkar boat are covered by the photo report…