With just a little time left before the main day of the early medieval culture festival Isaborg, it's a good opportunity to remind what sets it apart from the many other historical festivals that have taken place in the Pskov region in recent years.
The festival's main 'hook' is its special authenticity, 'atmosphere', and its integration into the unique natural and historical landscape of ancient Izborsk. From the start, the organizers positioned Isaborg as a kind of 'revival' — an animation of the Truvor settlement and its surroundings. The festival offers a rare opportunity not only to see spectacular battles and archery tournaments, but also to see firsthand, as they say, to 'delve into all the details' of the everyday life and culture of our distant ancestors.
Representatives of the country's top clubs — bringing together historians, archaeologists and reenactors — gather at the festival. The organizers view Isaborg as a kind of act of living, reviving history of Rus'. On Truvor's settlement, spectators seem to enter another, unfamiliar material world.
Visitors are invited to take an exciting and highly educational stroll, during which one can become completely absorbed. If not forever, then for a long time.
Year after year the Isaborg festival offers visitors a unique opportunity not only to watch mass battles and archery tournaments, but also to learn about many phenomena and objects of the everyday domestic culture of the inhabitants of ancient Rus'. Tents, clothing, weapons, household items, tableware, food — everything is recreated with historical care and attention to detail. Representatives of the country's best clubs, bringing together historians, archaeologists and reenactors, will come to the festival.
June 8 — the festival's open day, and all guests can expect a full program at Izborsk Fortress.
11:00 – Festival opening. Performance by the band 'Trikvetrum'.
11:30 – War for the Banner.
11:30–13:45 – Workshops for spectators and participants: board and active games, weaving and braiding, needle knitting, net-making, chainmail braiding, preparation of historical beverages.
11:45–12:30 – Sling-throwing competitions.
12:00–13:30 – Testing and demonstration of the 'legendary' achievements of warriors of the Early Middle Ages.
12:30–13:30 – Sulichny tournament.
13:40–14:00 – Performance by 'Trikvetrum'.
14:00–15:00 – 'Warband Battle' (demonstration battle and duels).
15:00–16:00 – Women's contest, Stage 1: 'Carpathian Relay'.
16:00–19:00 – Testing and demonstration of the 'legendary' achievements of archers of the Early Middle Ages. Archery tournament.
16:45–17:00 – War for the Banner. Performance by 'Trikvetrum'.
17:00–19:00 – Women's contest, stages 2–3: 'Cunning' and 'Kitchen'.
19:15–20:00 – Performance by 'Trikvetrum'.
History will come alive again in Izborsk! See you there!
The festival is organized by the State Historical-Architectural and Natural Museum-Reserve 'Izborsk' and the historical reconstruction club 'Usadba' (Pskov).
📍Entry to the festival is by ticket to the Izborsk Fortress.
