Knight's fest in Mstislavl. What can be seen at the festival for lovers of historical artifacts

Fortunately, my laptop was restored, and the photos from this wonderful event were not lost!
There will be two posts - this one is about the fest itself, and the second one is about the glorious city of Mstislavl and about how, if desired, you can do it with a minimum budget BEAUTIFUL, COMFORTABLE and GOOD for residents...

At the entrance, you could buy a souvenir from texture merchants at a very attractive price.

Despite the terrible heat at 30 degrees in the shade) The riders were in full gear.

A few minutes before the start of the performance, you can walk along the " medieval rows"plunge into the atmosphere of the holiday

Vitebsk colleagues: "Well, they knew the forecast, why didn't I take an umbrella and make Andrey put on light clothes ?!"

The team is ready for demonstration performances!

"Well, mother earth, give strength to me and my horse!"

"Out of the way, photographer! The squad is galloping!"

I had to move to the stage so as not to get under the hooves.

First, a demonstration passage of each of the riders. Here are the passionate people. So much work to prepare the costume, and a lot of money for such fun, and for the maintenance of the horse. I admire such enthusiastic people!

Future riders record everything on the phone

When a horse rushes a meter away from you, you understand what a formidable force it is!

And the host is perky, and the contests are exciting!

First, it was necessary to hit the target with a spear. Almost everyone did it!

Best of all, of course, Leader!

Kudos to the audience for their overwhelming support

And my horse can do it too

"Dust flies across the field from under the clatter of hooves"

Now you need to knock down the ring on the go! This is much more difficult...

And now the felling of the heads of the infidels! The heads were replaced with cabbage.

"And mine, mine, is the most beautiful of all!"

Well, then a very symbolic competition. The girl holds the ring over her head, and whoever pierces the ring with a lance, that kiss!

And the opportunity to ride a girl on a horse!

This was the end of the first part, and the audience had the opportunity to walk around the lists, look at the life of the knights.
At the same time and shoot

And at this time, archers competed on the field

But it was so hot that I preferred to stay in the shadows and just contemplate what was happening around. But it's interesting. The costumes are made with love, such attention to detail!

"We should put laser guidance on the bow ..."

And that's when the fights started. one on one". In armor, in thirty-degree heat, it is very difficult ....

While the knights were sweating, we went to lunch. And then we walked around the city (which will be a separate story), and returned to the Castle Hill from the other side

I had to climb a myriad of stairs.

The program of the festival of medieval culture “Knight's Fest. Mstislavl -2017". This was reported in the department of ideological work, culture and youth affairs of the Mstislav regional executive committee.

They also noted that the festival is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year, so the organizers tried to fill it with both the most striking events of past seasons and completely new ones, primarily for those who visit the festival of medieval culture every year. The program includes: excursions (to the Carmelite church, to the fire tower and the excavation of the ancient settlement), exhibitions (paintings, medieval instruments of torture for convicts and slaves, edged weapons of all countries and peoples), master classes, performances by musical groups (“Tuteyshaya nobility”, "Hmelny vir", "ENCelt", "Irdorath", "Rivia"). As well as mass battles of knights and equestrian performances of the Golden Spur club, medieval dances, booths on stilts, a neon LED circus show (V. Kustov Center), a fire performance (Maori fire theater) and a fire show of the theater of medieval culture "Yavaryna". Archery tournament, tactical buhurts, foot knight fights, theatrical storming of the castle, maneuvers, flag shows and pig races, entertainment program "Medieval Fun Fair".

In addition, the work of the "Paris tavern" with tasting, taverns with tasting drinks, the culinary show "Feast on Pirogovskaya" (cooking, exhibition and sale of medieval dishes on an open fire with the participation of representatives of the Lithuanian Barbecue Association) will be organized. In the historical part of Mstislavl, the "City of Masters" with attractions and fairs will unfold. And many more entertainment and tournaments. More than 240 knights from more than 30 knight clubs and clubs of historical reconstruction from different cities of Belarus will take part in the holiday.

Everything will start on August 4 at 17.00, and will end on August 6 in the morning. The grand opening of the fest is scheduled for August 5 at Pyotr Mstislavets Square.

Reduced tickets for children aged 5 to 10 years - 50% of the cost of a full ticket. It is possible to purchase a complex ticket worth 24 rubles, which allows you to visit several events at a bargain price. The complex ticket package includes a visit to events on the Castle Hill on August 5 from 11.30 to 03.10 and Peter Mstislavets Square from 22.00 to 24.00. When purchasing a complex ticket, an additional ticket is provided for free admission to any event on Castle Hill or Pyotr Mstislavets Square on August 4, with the exception of museums.

The program of the 10th holiday of medieval culture “Knight's Fest. Mstislavl -2017"

PETER MSTISLAVETS SQUARE

Location: Mstislavl is a city in the Mogilev region.

Format: international festival of medieval culture and music (open, public event);

Organizers: city ​​administration

PROGRAM of the festival of medieval culture "Knight's Fest. Mstislavl - 2018"

CARMELITE CHURCH

12.00 Charity event for children and adults with disabilities

st. SOVIET, 10

20.00-23.00

street SOVIET, 11

16.00-23.00

Ticket price: 3 rubles - adults, 1 rub. 50 kopecks - children's

08.00-11.00 Theatrical meeting of guests at the outposts of the city.

Ticket price 1 rub.

(former Sloboda Church)

09.00 memorial service.

09.00-20.00

10.00 Trade in church utensils.

PETER MSTISLAVETS SQUARE

10.00-10.40 Grand opening of the festival of medieval culture “Knight's Fest. Mstislavl-2018" (a procession and performance of knights' clubs, creative teams, the equestrian historical club "Golden Spur"). Free admission

CARMELITE CHURCH

10.00-20.00 Excursion with a visit to the observation tower of the church.

Ticket price 1 rub.

10.00-20.00

• Quest "Secrets of the manuscript of the Middle Ages" (main entrance).

12.00-20.00

• Quest "Treasure of the Middle Ages" (basement of the church).

Ticket price 2 rubles. from each participant

st. SOVIET, 10(building of EE "Mstislav State Construction College")

10.00–24.00 Exhibition on the history of military affairs of the Middle Ages "Games of Kings".

Ticket price: 3 rubles - adults, 1 rub. 50 kopecks - children's

street SOVIET, 11(former hotel building, Skazka cafeteria)

10.00-24.00 Exhibition of instruments of torture of the Inquisition "Witch Hunt".

Ticket price: 3 rubles - adults, 1 rub. 50 kopecks - children's

st. SOVIET(parking behind the Board of Honor)

09.00 Exhibition-exposition of organizations, enterprises, institutions of the city "Ancient Mstislavl".

CHILDREN'S SQUARE

11.00 Pig races.

st. LENINA(the territory of the former secondary school No. 1)

12.00; 17.00 The program of the creative group "Adamant".

Ticket price 1 rub. 50 kop.

13.00;15.30; 18.00 Children's animation program "Medieval Fun" (dances, songs, fun, contests, prizes and exciting master classes).

Ticket price 1 rub.

st. KOMSOMOLSKAYA(FIRE TOWER)

11.00-22.00 Exposition "In the service of the fire department" with a visit to the observation deck.

Ticket price: 2 rubles - adults, 1 rub. - children's

15.00-19.00 Quest game "Time Travel" (age group 7-10 years old, groups up to 5 people).

Ticket price 2 rubles. from each participant

PETER MSTISLAVETS SQUARE

15.00-17.00 Holi Festival of Colors.

Ticket price 5 rubles.

st. YURCHENKO

11.00–23.00 The work of the tavern "Prival" (selling national dishes, karaoke, watching movies and cartoons).

st. SOVIET, PIROGOVSKAYA, KALININA

09.00 The work of the "City of Masters", attractions, fairs.

CASTLE MOUNTAIN

11.00-21.00

11.00-21.00

11.40–12.20 Knightly equestrian fun (KIK "Golden Spur").

12.20–13.20 Tournament of fives / ten. Fights of foot knights in 5x5 or 10x10 format. Archery Tournament.

Ticket price 4 rubles.

14.00–14.10 Flag show "Balagany" (Theater of fire and farce "Balagan Band").

14.10–14.20 Performance of the band "Lita Thaler".

14.20–15.40 Tactical buhurts ("Capture of the banner", "Protection of the King", etc.). Mass battles.

Ticket price 4 rubles.

16.30–17.20 Equestrian performance "Magnificent horses of the Grand Duchy" (KIK "Golden Spur").

17.20–17.30 Stilted show: "Balagans on stilts" (Theatre of fire and farce "Balagan Band").

17.30–18.10 Demonstration performances and animation with the audience (Club "Scottish Infantry", Molodechno).

Ticket price 4 rubles.

19.00–20.00 Theatrical assault on the castle, maneuvers.

20.00–20.40

Ticket price 4 rubles.

21.40–22.40 Concert of the folk-rock group "Alkonost" (RF).

22.40–23.20 Fire show (“Flash Lights, Gomel, “Live Lights”, Bryansk).

Ticket price 6 rubles.

CASTLE MOUNTAIN (night events)

00.20–00.40 Fire - show "Balagany" (Theatre of fire and farce "Balagan Band").

00.40–01.40 Concert of the folk-rock group "PAWA" (Minsk).

Ticket price 6 rubles.

CASTLE MOUNTAIN (daily activities)

11.00-11.30 Demonstration performances and animation with the audience

(Club "Scottish Infantry" Molodechno).

11.30–12.30 Equestrian performance (KIK "Golden Spur").

12.30–12.40 Ceremony of rewarding knight clubs, participants of the fest.

12.40–13.10 Performance of the Lita Thaler group, a master class for spectators in medieval dances (Historical dance group "1410").

Ticket price 5 rubles.

10.30-15.00 Excursion "In the Whirlwind of Centuries" (visiting the excavation of the ancient settlement, exhibitions from the funds of the museum "Treasures of the Mstislav Land" (including a golden ducat)).

Ticket price: 2 rubles - adults, 1 rub. 50 kopecks - children's

10.30-15.00 Exhibition "Firearms" (Donjon Tower).

Ticket price: 2 rubles 50 kopecks - adults, 1 rub. 50 kopecks - children's

CHURCH IN HONOR OF THE TUPICHEV ICON OF THE MOTHER OF GOD

(former Sloboda Church)

08.00-13.00 Bringing relics of saints.

CATHEDRAL OF ALEXANDER NEVSKY

10.00 Trade in church utensils.

st. SOVIET, 10(building of EE "Mstislav State Construction College")

Yesterday, September 24, in Mstislavl, Mogilev region, the main day of celebrations of two events in Belarus at once took place - the Dozhinki festival and the traditional knight's fest, which is held every September in Mstislavl. Since Mstislavl had the right to receive Dozhinki this year, it was decided to combine both events. Smolensk residents should know about this event, as it is a wonderful opportunity to make a weekend trip and have a good time together with Belarusian brothers. Next year, Dozhinki will be held somewhere else, but the knight's fest will take place anyway. So some 120 km - and you find yourself in another state on a fun holiday. Well, this year the guests of Mstislavl were lucky enough to witness two events of regional, and even republican significance at once.

*Technical clarification. For the second post in a row, I'm posting high-res photos so that they can be viewed in all their glory on high-definition screens, such as apple retinas. Therefore, the download is slower.

Mstislavl is a small town in the east of the country, 10 km from the border with the Smolensk region. The population is a little over 10 thousand people, so it can be compared with Smolensk Yelnya or Pochinok.

A little historical background. Mstislavl was founded in 1135 by the Smolensk prince Rostislav Mstislavich and named after his father Mstislav the Great. Like many cities of modern Belarus, at different times it was part of the Lithuanian principality, then it was recaptured by the Russian army, then it again came under the rule of the Lithuanian prince. In 1772, after the division of the Commonwealth of the territory of modern Belarus, Mstislavl became a province of the Mogilev province, then becomes a county town. During the Patriotic War of 1812 the city was devastated. Another curious fact - since 1919 Mstislavl was part of the Smolensk province of the RSFSR, was the center of the county. It became part of the BSSR on July 17, 1924, after which it became the regional center of the Mogilev region. Today it is a neat Belarusian town that is the envy of the Smolensk people.

Invitation cards were waiting for us at the district executive committee, which gave us the opportunity to go free of charge to the Castle Hill, where the main events of the knight's fest took place. In general, the entrance to these events was paid. Favorable complex ticket for all events, incl. on Castle Hill, costs 660 re for Russian rubles. The cost of a ticket for one event is 5 Belarusian rubles, or 165 Russian rubles. We started our walk around Mstislavl from the city center, where the official ceremony of the festival took place.

Since 1996, "Dozhinki" in Belarus has been held as a Republican festival-fair of village workers. Every year the festival is held in different regional centers of the country. The holiday takes the Russian observer back to the time of the USSR. There is something in this event from the May Day demonstrations. For example, the celebration program includes a procession of all participants along the main street of the city with access to the central square. The holiday lasts two days. On the first day, a solemn rally is held, after which the best combine operators and drivers are awarded. After the concert of the best folklore groups begins. Exhibitions of works by folk craftsmen are held. And in the city itself, agricultural products and machinery are demonstrated. Concerts are held at several venues, a lottery, folk games and fun are held. All this happened last Saturday.

The whole city was literally bursting with treats. Eyes popped up!

In total, in the center of little Mstislavl, we counted about a dozen venues where creative teams performed.

At 2.30 pm, performances began on Castle Hill, so we headed there.

Castle Hill is separated from the city and neighboring mountains - Troitskaya and Ponivoytovskaya by deep ditches up to 25 meters and 60-100 meters wide. An octagonal donjon tower stood at the highest point in the center of the castle. On the first floor of the tower there was a church, on the top - archer warriors. It was the safest and most impregnable place during siege battles, where the civilian population of the castle took refuge. Archaeological research was carried out on Castle Hill. The cultural layer has a thickness of 3.3 meters. In the 14th century, most of the castle buildings were destroyed by fire. There was a deep well on the hill fort, the area of ​​which was about 2 hectares, which provided the inhabitants with water during the siege. Mstislav Castle was considered the most important strategic object of the Posozhye on the border of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Muscovite state, therefore it survived many sieges and wars. (link)

As I understand it, all these wonderful structures did not exist a few years ago. However, Zamkovaya Hill gradually begins to acquire authentic buildings.
In total, a number of events take place during the knight's fest: horseback riding, archery competitions, master classes for spectators, and concerts. The most spectacular part is the white buhurt. Buhurt is a jousting tournament in which two groups of knights armed with blunt weapons fight against each other. Yesterday, the lists on Castle Hill looked like this:

As befits the events of historical reconstruction, its participants scrupulously observe the surroundings of the era being reconstructed: they dress appropriately, live in authentic tents, and eat simple camp food. Attention to detail is at the highest level. For example, the festival of historical reconstruction of Lubino, for which the Smolensk authorities did not find money in 2016. how the reenactors lived. Approximately the same as at the knight's fest. A short walk through the camp of reenactors.

Somewhere a modern camera or a plastic cup will flash by. But in general...

Even the faces are kind of out of date. How clothes and furnishings change the face of people!

A small briefing.

Construction before equestrian fun. The oldest equestrian is 67 years old.

Armor looks very natural. Moreover, this is not a decoration. Soon they will be tested for strength during the duel, or shipki, as the host called it.

Someone is resting before the fight.

All hand-maid, complete exclusive.

The first hour of the fest was devoted to equestrian amusements, during which the riders chopped off the heads of cabbage, grabbed a saber stuck in the ground at a gallop, and hit the enemy with a spear.

Men's amusements are unthinkable without lovely ladies, whom the riders rode on their horses.

Courageous grandpa!

Girl and edged weapons ... Beautiful!

An arrowhead hit here.

And here is the burger. Fights last for several minutes until the victory of one of the teams. Then a break, during which the participants of the fights adjust their ammunition and rest. In reality, everything did not look very dynamic, which is understandable: the uniform weighs a lot, each fight is a big physical load, which, moreover, is accompanied by injuries. Rest is needed.

During the break between fights.

Note how the weighty weapon descends on the protected part of the opponent's body. Blows - are not "marked" but applied, and, as it should.

The hatchet lands on the head.

A blow to the chest.

Specially trained girls with candy sticks guard the border of the duel and do not allow the warriors to get too close to the spectators and photographers. Referees control compliance with the rules, one of which is not to hit unprotected parts of the body.

After watching the fights, we head to the city center to refresh ourselves. View of the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. The Carmelite monastery founded in 1617 was located here. The church was founded in 1637 and built by the end of the century, in 1746-50 it was reconstructed.

View at the foot of the Castle Hill.

local architecture.

Military memorial on Lenin street.

People walk and have fun. Uritsky street. Behind - the Jesuit Church of St. Michael the Archangel.

Clouds and intermittent rain gave way to glimpses of the sun, which illuminated the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. Founded in 1870.

What distinguishes folk festivals in Belarus from ours, Smolensk, is the scale - the cafes probably accounted for a hundred, and also the fact that they sold alcohol. Unfortunately, I was driving, but I still ordered a glass of beer for the barbecue. Especially since we planned another hour or two to walk. I was served an already poured plastic glass, which turned out to be an exhausted, tasteless swill. In general, it is necessary to keep your ears open at such parties. For 400 grams of barbecue and pork sausages, a portion of fried potatoes, a glass of beer and a glass of tea, we gave, in terms of Russian rubles, about 500 re.

By the way, about money. In my hands - 1000 Russian rubles. There are almost no ATMs in Mstislavl, I had to look for a bank and stand in a short queue. Street trading is carried out only for cash, although, for example, in any "Native Kut" you will find a terminal for payment by bank transfer.

While we were having dinner, calls were pouring in from Smolensk asking if I had asked to transfer 3,000 rubles. Turns out my skype was hacked. I was able to quickly regain access to my account thanks to the SIM card of the Belarusian MTS with the Internet purchased at the end of August.

It was evening. Creative teams folded, street trading folded after them.

People still continue to sit in cafes.

Square in the center of Mstislavl.

The delegations that arrived at Dozhinki planted trees here.

It's been such a boring day. Belarusians - well done! Once again I am convinced of this.

And for today - everything!