On the first Sunday of every September, the anniversary of the Battle of Borodino is celebrated outside the city of Mozhaisk in the Moscow Region. The festival culminates in a historical reenactment of particular episodes of the famous battle, in which the French and Russian armies fought for control of Moscow and the future of Russia.
On the first Sunday of every September, the anniversary of the Battle of Borodino is celebrated outside the city of Mozhaisk in the Moscow Region. The festival culminates in a historical reenactment of particular episodes of the famous battle, in which the French and Russian armies fought for control of Moscow and the future of Russia.
Over a thousand military history fans arrived in handmade replicas of period uniforms, carrying equipment and ammunition from the 1812 era, and formed the legendary rival armies of Russia and France. There, they demonstrated their knowledge of combat tactics, the period’s articles of war, and their ability to use rifles, sabers and broadswords.
On this day, Borodino annually attracts over 100,000 people who are interested in the history of the Napoleonic Wars from Russia and other countries.
Above: Audience observes the historical reenactment of the Battle of Borodino at Borodino field.
Above: Audience observes the historical reenactment of the Battle of Borodino at Borodino field.
The Battle of Borodino was the defining battle of the French invasion of Russia, which is known in Russia as the Patriotic War of 1812; in France, it was named the Battle at Moscow River (Bataille de la Moskova).
The Russian army held an eight kilometer-long position along the front line and seven kilometers inward at Borodino. Its right flank connected to the Moscow River, the left – to a thick forest. The army’s central outpost was on the Kurgannaya Height, and covered the west of Semenov Creek.
By the beginning of the battle, the Russian army had 120,000 people (including 7,000 Cossacks, about 10,000 soldiers and 15,000 recruits) and 624 artillery pieces. Napoleon’s Grande Armée had about 130,000-135,000 people and 587 artillery pieces.
Above: The audience observes the historical reenactment of the Battle of Borodino at Borodino field.
During the course of the Battle of Borodino, over 50,000 soldiers from Napoleon's army were either killed or wounded (around 30,000 people, according to French data), including 49 generals; the Russian army lost over 44,000 people (including 29 generals).
The battle lasted for 12 hours. According to rough estimates, nearly 600 people died every hour on the field.
A participant in the reenactment of the Battle of Borodino during the performance at Borodino field.
Borodino was the largest and bloodiest single-day battle of the Napoleonic wars. As noted by Kutuzov, "This day will be an eternal monument to the courage and excellent bravery of the Russian soldiers, where all infantry, cavalry and artillery fought desperately. The desire of everyone was to die on the spot without conceding an inch to the enemy.”
By tradition, the reenactment culminates with a parade of military history clubs and awards are presented to those who distinguished themselves in action.
“Reenactments aren’t just battles,” one of the participants was cited as saying by Podmoskovye Segodnya. “We live in a camp for four-five days, observe the articles of war, and observe all of the rules of the time.” It takes around two weeks to prepare the camp, put up tents and decorations. The costumes and weapons are all handmade, in accordance with historical documents. Whole families take part on the field with men at war and wives with children waiting in the camps.
Above: Participants in the reenactment of the Battle of Borodino during the performance at Borodino Field.
Above: Participants in the reenactment of the Battle of Borodino during the performance at Borodino Field.
