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Veliky
Novgorod as a door to Europe
For many
centuries Veliky Novgorod has been a link between
medieval Europe and Old Russia, a kind of “door”
to Europe, a centre of international integration
and trade. A Hanseatic League of New Time, based
on traditions of Medieval Hansa, a prototype
of present-day united European market, appeared
in 1980. Nowadays the Hanseatic League of New
Time unites more then 160 cities from 15 European
countries.
As keeping
culture of the past is a priority aim of the
New Hanseatic League, in 1999 - during the time
of serious economic crisis in Russia - the reconstruction
of St. Nicholas Cathedral on Yaroslav Courtyard
was sponsored by Hansa. Upstairs by the very
entrance to the cathedral you can read the names
of Hansa cities, sponsoring urgent and prompt
restoring of the cathedral
Annually
Hansa Days forum take place in one of Hansa
cities. Participating cities present their culture
and traditions through medieval market with
arts and crafts, traditional cuisine and performances.
In Veliky Novgorod
Hansa days are taking place on June 18-21, 2009
when the city is celebrating its 1150th anniversary.
Representatives of more than 100 European cities
are gathering together for a few days in Veliky
Novgorod to present their traditions in music,
arts and crafts, national cuisine, dancing,
songs and rites and find possibilities of cooperation
in economics, politics and culture.
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One
of the most interesting moments of the Forum is a
grand opening of Hansa days. More than thousand participants
of the event – delegations from Hansa cities – are
being presented on Sophijskaya Square, the main square
of the city. The grand opening ceremony is being ended
by festive laser show and fireworks. There are numerous
concerts, exhibitions and performances in the program.
Hansa trade fair and Historical
medieval market are working all days to fill Novgorod
Kremlin, Yaroslav courtyard and streets of the historical
centre with spirit of middle ages and to present the
variety of European cities, their traditions, culture,
history and the present.
Visitors of Hansa trade fair are
getting all the information about present-day Hansa
cities - cities of Germany, Estonia, Finland, Great
Britain, Poland, Holland, France, Sweden, and Russia.
Historical market is inviting guests of the holiday
to go on a tour to middle ages; street merchants,
craftsmen, actors, ordinary people are helping to
imagine everyday life and culture of a medieval city.
Grand ending of a “29th International
Hansa days Forum” is a traditional procession of the
participants: official delegation from Hansa cities,
craftsmen, musicians, actors and Novgorodians.
