National history festival Great Bolgar to be held in Tatarstan

An inaugural national history festival Great Bolgar will take place at Bolgar reserve museum on 16-17 August. A total of 7 to 10 thousand people were expected to visit the festival over the two days, Tatarstan State Committee for Tourism Deputy Chair Liana Sayetova told a news conference.

Members of over ten Russian historical reconstruction clubs from 30 Russian regions will take part in the history festival dedicated to the 14-15th centuries.

According to the historical tournament's leader Artyom Kutyrov, Great Bolgar would focus on historical combative fights with authentic weaponry. A total of 700 to 800 fights involving 200 reconstructors will be held over the two days. We, Tatars combined team, will represent Tatarstan. Tatarstan's historical fencing team captain Yegor Chibirev said the team was going to take part in all events and win a prize.

A historical camp featuring authentic tents, cuisine and utensils will be presented at the festival as well. People willing to do so will be able to learn dances popular in the 14-15th centuries and attend belt braiding, medieval cooking, spice cake painting and ichigi soft boot making master classes.

The festival is expected to be held annually. “The inaugural edition needs to become a large event, first of all, that will truly make the ancient township of Bolgar a part of living history,” Tatarstan State Committee for Tourism official Artur Abdrashitov said.

Entrance to the festival will be free. A camp accomodating 2,000 people will be set up for people willing to spend both days at the festival. The cost of stay will be 300 roubles a night, 150 roubles for participants with own sleeping bag.