The people of Smolensk "plunged" in the early Middle Ages

Last weekend the people of Smolensk could enjoy the culture and life of the population of ancient Russia and its neighbors - the Nordic, the Baltic, the Steppe people living in the early Middle Ages in IX-X centuries: the Gnezdovo Archaeological Complex logical hosted the festival of historical reconstruction and Slavic culture "Gnezdovo-2014."

The festival has been held for the fourth time. According to the organizers, it is aimed at promoting the historical and cultural significance of the world famous monument – the Gnezdovo Archaeological Complex - and attracting the public attention to the problems of its conservation. The main idea of the festival, which is the only festival of the early medieval era (the Viking Age), is a historical reconstruction of the “druzhina” culture and living conditions of the population of one of the largest early urban centers of Ancient Russia – “Gnezdovo”.

This year, a few thousands of Smolensk people could learn about the history, culture and lifestyle of the early medieval era, recreated on the basis of archaeological finds, pictorial and narrative sources. Numerous spectators were greeted by the brave warriors, skilled craftsmen, beautiful ladies of the Middle Ages. This unique atmosphere of the distant past was recreated on the territory of the Gnezdovo Archaeological Complex through the efforts of the Club of Historical Reconstruction.

The festival participants were dressed in the authentic clothes, and carried weapons of the early Middle Ages. The audience could watch a mass battle and methods of warfare demonstrated at the specially fenced stadium, there also were workshops of various crafts. There you could see a real medieval forge and operate the bellows, learn the basics of weaving, weave a braid, make a straw doll and a clay pot, knit something with the help of the bone needles, cook food over a fire, and so on.

There was a fair of goods made in the style of the IX-X centuries. The participants of the festival offered the guests a lot of hand-made souvenirs - jewelry, clothes, all kinds of knives and handicrafts made of natural materials. The guests of the festival could take part in many activities: even the youngest residents of Smolensk participated in the military contests and games, archery and throwing a sulitz attracted attention of the adults.

The people of Smolensk were greatly impressed by the performance of the folk groups featuring ethnic music.

For several days tours were given round the Gnezdovo Archaeological Complex, which was an important educational component of the festival.