From 18 to 20 May 2012 St-Petersburg will see the return of its annual open-air festival “Legends of Norwegian Vikings “, which will be held on the territory of The Peter and Paul Fortress, on the banks of Neva river.
The festival will take place at Kronverk area of The Peter and Paul Fortress and for 3 days the whole area will be occupied by the Norwegian medieval settlement with tents, stadium, stalls of merchants and artisans. Guests will have the opportunity to meet with Prince Yaroslav the Wise and his wife Ingegerd, to see the arrival of King of Norwegian Vikings, to visit various artisan workshops.
The program of the festival includes medieval Viking battles, historical costume contests, military competitions like throwing axes and archery, concert of Scandinavian music and living history areas with medieval Norwegian kitchens and tasting of Norwegian cuisine, as well as demonstrations of Norwegian crafts, minstrels and dancers and a special entertainment program for kids.
The event will be held for the third time and is becoming more and more popular with locals and visitors of St-Petersburg. Last year it was attended by over 40,000 people and even more guests are expected this time.
Program of the festival
Friday 18 May
16.00 – 16.15 – Festival opening ceremony.
16.30 – 17.00 – Theatrical re-enactment of the arrival of King of Norwegian Vikings to the court of Prince Yaroslav the Wise and his wife Ingegerd. Archery and military competitions between the Vikings.
17.00 – 21:00 – Various contests, competitions and workshops for the guests of the festival.
18.00 – 19.00 – Concert of Scandinavian music.
19.30 – 20.30 – Military competitions, tournaments and battles.
Saturday 19 May
11.00 – Festival site opens.
11.00 – 13.00 – Various contests, competitions and workshops for the guests of the festival.
13.00 – 13.30 – Battle re-enactment by the Vikings.
14.00 – 15.00 – Historical costume contest.
15.00 – 21.00 – Various contests, competitions and workshops for the guests of the festival.
17.00 – 18.00 – Tournaments re-enactment by the Vikings.
Sunday 20 May
11.00 – Festival site opens.
11.00 – 13.00 – Various contests, competitions and workshops for the guests of the festival and tournaments re-enactment by the Vikings.
13.00 – 13.30 – Battle re-enactment by the Vikings.
14.00 – 15.00 – Festival ends.