Medieval knights are returning to Polotsk

May 22, Vitebsk / Diana Kurilo - BELTA /. Medieval knights are returning to Polotsk again. The medieval culture festival will be held in the ancient city on May 23-24 in honor of the 1147th anniversary of its first mention in chronicles, the culture department of the Polotsk City Executive Committee informed a BELTA correspondent. Medieval city with its traditions, crafts, daily life, and culture will come alive near the walls of St. Sophia Cathedral. As promised by the organizers, more than 300 people will take part in the festival. For the first time, historical reenactment enthusiasts from Lithuania will join the members of Belarusian clubs. Knights will have to demonstrate their skills in archery competitions and martial arts tournaments. A spectacular sight will be a buhurt - a battle of knights fully clad in armor according to medieval rules. Minstrels of "Stary Olsa" will sing songs for beautiful ladies, and fire masters will show their art in a fire show competition. However, the main event of the festival will be the storming of Polotsk Castle, scheduled for May 24. The directors abandoned the idea of reconstructing a specific historical battle and decided that valor, courage, and military luck would decide the outcome of the battle. Participants in the battle will have to capture the 22-meter castle. Siege engines and artillery will be used. The Polotsk medieval culture festival got its name in honor of the warlike cry - "rubon", with which ancient warriors went on the offensive. According to some sources, the Western Dvina River was called that. -0-