The Kaup 2015 historic festival was held on July 24-26 in Russia’s Kaliningrad region. Established back in 2006, the Kaup festival is a grandiose annual event reviving the glorious epoch of the Vikings.
The trade and craft town of Kaup (English "fair", "market") was the key point of a trade route connecting the south-east of Sweden to the Ancient Rus region in the early medieval ages.
Above: Participants of the traditional Viking festival Kaup in the Kaliningrad Region.
Above: Participants of the traditional Viking festival Kaup in the Kaliningrad Region.
Now, the ruins of Kaup are near the town of Zelenogradsk in the Kaliningrad Region.
Above: Participants of the traditional Viking festival Kaup in the Kaliningrad Region.
Above: Participants of the traditional Viking festival Kaup in the Kaliningrad Region.
"The Vikings were great seamen and reckless warriors. They were the first to cross the Atlantic. They seized London, Hamburg and Paris. An epoch was named after them. Our region was their final retreat. Our festival gives a chance not only to learn who the Vikings were but also to become them for several days," the organizers said.
Above: Participants of the traditional Viking festival Kaup in the Kaliningrad Region.
Above: Participants of the traditional Viking festival Kaup in the Kaliningrad Region.
The three-day event featured battle reenactment shows, tournaments, a medieval fair, and music and artist performances.
Above: Participants of the traditional Viking festival Kaup in the Kaliningrad Region.
Above: Participants of the traditional Viking festival Kaup in the Kaliningrad Region.
A tent camp was built for those who came to the festival for several days.
Above: Participants of the traditional Viking festival Kaup in the Kaliningrad Region.
Above: Participants of the traditional Viking festival Kaup in the Kaliningrad Region.
Visitors also had a possibility to try on an armor suit, to practice archery, and to participate in archeological excavations.
Above: Participants of the traditional Viking festival Kaup in the Kaliningrad Region.
Above: Participants of the traditional Viking festival Kaup in the Kaliningrad Region.
Several thousand people attended the festival this year.
Above: Participants of the traditional Viking festival Kaup in the Kaliningrad Region.
Above: Participants of the traditional Viking festival Kaup in the Kaliningrad Region.
The druzhina tournament (the tournament of fellowships) is one of the key events during the festival. This year, the Belarusian team won the tournament.
Above: Participants of the traditional Viking festival Kaup in the Kaliningrad Region.
Above: Participants of the traditional Viking festival Kaup in the Kaliningrad Region.
The Kaup festival was established in the Kaliningrad Region in 2006. This year’s event was the ninth in festival’s history.
Above: Participants of the traditional Viking festival Kaup in the Kaliningrad Region.
Above: Participants of the traditional Viking festival Kaup in the Kaliningrad Region.
This year, the organizers tightened the authenticity requirements for costumes, armor suits and everyday items.
Above: Participants of the traditional Viking festival Kaup in the Kaliningrad Region.
Above: Participants of the traditional Viking festival Kaup in the Kaliningrad Region.
