On May 31, Vitebsk / Diana Kurilo - BELTA /. Knights from five countries will help Polotsk recall its medieval past, as reported to a BELTA correspondent at the Polotsk City Executive Committee. The relay of festive events in honour of the city's 1150th anniversary will be picked up by the medieval culture festival "Rubon", which will begin on June 1. This time, its representation is greater than ever before - in addition to Belarusian historical reconstruction clubs, knights and warriors from Russia, Ukraine, the Czech Republic, Poland, and Lithuania will take part, as well as masters of folk crafts from Latvia. They have already confirmed their participation. As part of the celebration, there will be a storming of a medieval castle located in a picturesque historical place on the banks of the Western Dvina River. Knights' tournaments will be held according to the rules of the early and developed Middle Ages. Exciting spectacles of knightly melees - team battles - will not leave indifferent either children or adults. The festival will feature stage areas, master classes in traditional medieval crafts, and visitors will be able to try medieval cuisine and listen to the unique music of that time. Lithuanian historical reconstruction clubs will bring an archery unit to "Rubon" to participate in competitions, as well as in the castle storming. The Latvian side will delegate Latgalian artisans, who have managed to preserve the traditions of ancient masters, as well as creative groups, to the festival. The participation of Latvian and Lithuanian clubs in the festival in Polotsk is one of the events of the EU international technical assistance project "Bella Dvina 2". The festival will last for three days - until June 3. The venue is the Kurgan of Immortality area. Its name - "Rubon" - is derived from the historical name of the Western Dvina and the ancient battle cry of Polotsk warriors. The festival is aimed at popularising the Polotsk land and Belarusian culture. Knights with armour weighing at least 16 kg are admitted to participate in the festival competitions. The weight of the sword must be from 1.2 kg to 1.5 kg, while weapons made of light alloys like titanium are not allowed. -0-

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