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Russia Marks 640th Anniversary of the Battle of Kulikovo With a Three Day Festival

Sputnik

During the battle, forces under the command of Grand Prince Dmitriy Donskoy defeated the Golden Horde, the successor of the Mongol Empire.

In this gallery, Sputnik shows you some of the highlights of this year’s celebration, taking participants on a journey through time.

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The International Festival of Historical Reenactment, one of the oldest festivals in Russia, has been held at Kulikovo field annually for more than 25 years.
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The field, where Russian forces battled with fighters of the Golden Horde more than six centuries ago, is located 180 kilometers south of the capital Moscow,
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Participants of the festival and people taking part in reenactment of the battle get a unique chance to travel back in time and learn about traditions and life in the Middle Ages.
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Using archaeological sources organizers and participants of the festival recreate costumes, cuisine, crafts of the two sides that participated in the battle.
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During the three-day festival guests are invited to attend concerts, exhibitions and a fair.
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Everyone is welcome to try their hand at using medieval weapons and learning fighting techniques.
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The most important and highly anticipated event of the festival is historical reenactment of the battle that changed the course of Russia's history.
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At first viewers are shown the duel between Alexander Peresvet and Mongol champion Chelubei, which preceded the main battle.
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Then actors representing forces under the command of grand prince Dmitriy Donskoy confront forces of Khan Mamai.
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More than 30 military history clubs are involved in preparation of the reenactment to ensure historical accuracy and authenticity.
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guests and participants of the festival travel back in time for three days and live and have fun as people did six centuries ago
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The celebrations and the festival are organized by Russian Ministry of Culture, the Military Historical Society, the government of Tula region, (where the Kulikovo field is located) and the Museum of Kulikovo Field.
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