Knights’ tournaments take place at Lenexpo
Characters from various times and events assembled on 23 and 24 February at Lenexpo for the “Recon 2018” historical reconstruction festival. Competitions in historical fencing, knight tournaments and masterclasses for people of all ages formed part of the event under the common slogan “History comes alive here”.
The pavilion space was divided into different historical eras and regions – original camps where it was possible to see the daily life and household arrangement of various nations from the inside. The organizers say that it’s important for reconstructors for every detail to match the era, and because of that they loosen their purse strings when making their costumes and try to reflect the environment of the times as best as possible.
The main and most spectacular part of the programme was sword fights, medieval tournaments with battle-axes, triathlon competitions, mass buhurt “wall-on-wall” fighting, for which a large number of spectators assembled in just a few minutes. Masterclasses attracted just as much attention from guests, where people were taught historical crafts: felting, smith’s and potter’s crafts, basket weaving, decorative painting, embroidering elements on clothes and even culinary arts. The medieval fair catered for those who love ready-made souvenirs, as handmade articles were sold there – from jewellery and souvenirs to iron weapons.
Open lectures were organized at a separate venue, where historians and reconstructors were invited. The audience was told about shooting in Ancient Greece, cooking in Ancient Rome, making scaled armour, special features of knights’ tournaments, and the progress of science in antique and medieval times.
The younger generation of reconstructors was taught archery, sword fighting, and wooden catapult shooting at the enemy castle.
Recon was held for the second time, the public has fallen in love with it over such a short period, and it has gained the title of one of the biggest events for the military and historical movement in our country. This year, 4,000 history fans gathered for the event.