Welcome to Russia!
The group headed by Viktur the Ushkuinik
is preparing several serious reconstructions of history, spanning
Northern Europe and Northern Russia. We welcome the participation
of Europeans and any other people from any place in the world who
are interested in history, whether of their own nation or not.
Three projects are in preparation for 2003.
In the middle of July, an 'ushkui', the trading/pirating ship of
Northern Russia that in some ways resembles the vessels of the
Vikings, will leave the modern town of Kotlas (Arkhangelsk region)
to head for another town, located in the depth of ancient times,
the 11-12th centuries. Gleden, a fortified town founded by
explorers from Novgorod, will rise in its own historical location.
You can find your place in the crew of the 'ushkui', or live in a
home (and perhaps engage in productive labor or trade) within
Gleden. Various historical tradesmen, musicians, hunters and
fishers will be welcome there – and you can learn from them,
too; the hunting and fishing will be real, and the results often
quite tasty, cooked in the ways of the old times. Real horses
will be available for those who can handle them. You can be from
a foreign nation (your own or otherwise), or, if you speak modern
or ancient Russian, become a part of the mysterious and diverse
entity that came to be called 'Russians'. If you have a good team,
you can even get to lead a ship of your own (possibly without
even building one – two smaller reconstructed historical
vessels are available). Foreign ships did often visit Russian
waters.
In the end of July (and until August 10, the start of the Vyborg
festival of historical reconstruction), a settlement of various
nations will come to life on the shores of a fjord in the Gulf of
Finland (within the borders of present-day Russia). The typical
images of Novgorod, Ladoga, the Vikings and Normanns of the 9-10th
centuries will be recalled back into reality. We will commence
the building of a drakkar, and hopefully complete it – in
order to ride it into Finland and Sweden later this year or next
year. Around the settlement, roleplayers will replay (with
possible differences) a part of Europe's history of the same
centuries – with the Anglo-Saxon, Celtic, Scotch, Normann,
Viking, Dane, Germanic, Slavic and other peoples striving to
determine future fate. In any of these various activites, you are
welcome to join, perhaps defending the honor of a nation from
Russian-made imitation.
In the end of August, Ermak, the famous Russian explorer who has
conquered Siberia, will set out on his ventures again. (We will
probably only reconstruct the beginning of his travels, without
going far into the unknown of Siberia). Perhaps you will join his
team? He is a free captain, and welcomes all that can be of help,
with no consideration of blood or religion.
Best regards,
Mikhail mr@ramendik.ru